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Copyright N^_ 

COPYRIGHT DEPOSITS 



SIX DECADES IN TEXAS 



OR 



MEMOIRS 



OF 



FRANCIS RICHARD LUBBOCK 

GOVERNOR OP TEXAS IN WAR-TIME, 1861-63 



A^iPERSONAL EXPERIENCE IN BUSINESS, WAR, AND POLITICS 



EDITED BY 



C. W. RAINES 



ACTING STATE LIBRARIAN, AND ADTHOR OF A "BIBLIOGRAPHY OF TEXAS,' 
"LIFE OF SANTA ANNA," ETC. 



ILLUSTRATED 

with 

FULL PAGE ENGRAVINGS AND ETCHfNGS 



AUSTIN 

BEN C. JONES & CO. PRINTERS 

1900 



TWO COPIES RECSIVEO, 

Library of Congft^ 
Offlcb of thfi 

APR 5 -1900 

Kdtflttar of C«pyHght% 



■^'•3^^ 

•L^.?:: 



60059 

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1899, by 

FRANCIS RICHARD LUBBOCK, 
in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 



SECOND COPY, 



THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED TO 

THE PEOPLE OF TEXAS, 

WHOM I LOVE, AND WHOSE LOVE I HAVE 

ENDEAVORED TO MERIT BY 

FAITHFUL SERVICE. 

F. R. Lubbock. 



>/ 




GOVERNOR FRANCIS RICHARD LUBBOCK. 

1862. 



AUTHOE'S PREFACE. 



The man who has protested, from the writing of the first page 
to the last, that he could not write a book, has writ a book; 
and if there is anything of profit or pleasure in it for the people 
of Texas, they must attribute it, first, to my devoted wife, and 
second, to my able editor. The former tolled me along as a woman 
knows how to toll a man until she got volumes of manuscript 
from my memory dotted down by my rapid pen ; the latter culled 
it to fill one volume of medium size. 

It does not claim to be a history of Texas, but a personal 
memoir interspersed with such public events as came into my 
mind, and it extends over the entire life of the Kepublic and the 
Confederacy, coming down in a more desultory way to the pres- 
ent time. 

F. R. Lubbock. 



EDITOE'S PEEFACE. 



The manuscript of Governor Lubbock's memoirs was in the 
spring of 1897 placed in my charge to edit. Passing over a large 
amount of biographical and other interesting matter, I selected 
that only which in my judgment was most conducive to the ob- 
ject decided upon, viz., to give special prominence to Governor 
Lubbock's recollections of almost unwritten Texas history. The 
story of the final struggle of the Confederacy, with matters sub- 
sequent thereto, are but subsidiary to this idea. 

I must not omit to state that Mrs. Lubbock, feeling a just 
pride in her distinguished husband's career, has been the soul of 
the enterprise throughout, — urging and encouraging him to com- 
mit to paper the recollections of his eventful life, and giving me 
invaluable assistance up to the final arrangement and preparation 
of the work for the press. 

To eliminate whatever errors that had crept into the manu- 
script (prepared principally from memory), I have given it my 
careful supervision; and I am, therefore, justly chargeable with 
all inaccuracies apparent in the text as to public events. 

As the memoirs touch upon the great epochs of Texas history, 
the reader will naturally find much of descriptive matter per- 
taining to war and adventure, with a strong thread of politics 
permeating the whole. The book makes no pretensions to graces 
of style; it is simply a plain, unvarnished statement of facts and 
fancies in sturdy English, with "nothing extenuated nor aught 
set down in malice." 

An intimate acquaintance with Governor Lubbock, acquired 
during my long sojourn beneath his hospitable roof, enables me 
to refer with confidence to his present most noteworthy character- 



EDITOR'S PREFACE. 



istics, — spriglitliness of mind and bod}^, habitual geniality, can- 
dor, conscientiousness, and genuine kindliness of heart. 

The qualities that made him strong in his public career were 
quickness of perception and tenacity of purpose, a rare combina- 
tion, which he made effective by great energy in action. 

If all men knew Governor Lubbock as well as I do, they would 
readily comprehend how self had no place in his ambition, and 
how he always served his country with a singleness of purpose 
rarely surpassed. The moral of such a life can not be questioned. 

C. W. Raines. 

Austin, February 22, 1900. 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



PORTRAITS AND AUTOGRAPHS. 

Austin, S. F 38 

Houston, Sam 74 

Smith, Henry 113 

Houston's Autograph 142 

Governor Lubbock and Mrs. Adele Baron Lubbock 330 

My Brothers and Sisters 25 

Magruder, Gen. J. Bankhead, C. S. A 423 

Smith, Commodore Leon, C. S. N 433 

Green, Gen. Tom 438 

Wharton, Gen. John A., C. S. A 538 

Davis, Jefferson, Autograph 548 

Party Captured vpith Mr. Davis 571 

Mr. Davis and Winnie 600 

F. R. Lubbock 606 

Treasury Group 619 

Ireland, Gov. John 623 

Four Texas Governors 626 

F. R. Lubbock and S. E. Black Porter 630 

Family Group 631 

San Jacinto Group 644 

SCENERY. 

Ruins op the Alamo 30 

Capitol of the Republic, 1837-9 49 

Ranch Homestead 123 

First Capitol Built by the Republic 143 

Second Capitol Built by the Republic 196 

Present Capitol of Texas 628 

Camel Riding 239 

Confederate Cotton -Clad Fleet 440 

Sabine Pass Surrender Scene 504 

Off for Red River Campaign 535 

Crossing the Mississippi 549 

Our Austin Residence 617 

Section of the State Library 628 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER ONE. 
Early Life in South Carolina — La Fayette's Visit to Beaufort — 
Training under Irish Schoolmasters — Removal to Savannah and 
Death of My Father — Return to Charleston, and Clerk Life 
There — Nullification and Compromise, 1832-33 — Clerking and 
Cotton Buying in Hamburg 1-19 

CHAPTER TWO. 
Business in New Orleans — The Firm of Ketchum & Lubbock, 
Druggists — Marriage with a Creole Girl in the Crescent City — 
Louisiana Sugar Planters and Government Protection — My 
Wife and I on a Visit to My Mother in July, 1835 — Incidents 
of Our Return Home — Business Reverses and Recuperation — 
My Brother Tom a Volunteer in the Texas War — Visit to Texas 
in 1836 — Tom's Story of Adventure — Favorable Impression of 
Texas and the Texans 20-40 

CHAPTER THREE. 
Removal to Texas — Settlement in the New Town of Houston — 
Opening of Congress — The Telegraph Newspaper — Indian Pow- 
wows — Various Incidents — San Jacinto Ball at the Capitol — 
Celebration at Liberty — Lost and Benighted on the Prairie — 
First Purchase of Wild Land — Assistant Clerkship in the House 
of Representatives — Joining the Masons — Currency Meeting — 
Appointed Comptroller by President Houston — The Philosoph- 
ical Society 41-70 

CHAPTER FOUR. 
War Meeting in Houston — General Albert Sidney Johnston — Gen- 
eral Houston as the Author then Viewed Him — Difficulty with 
Colonel Ward — Visit to Mrs. Powell's — Presidential Candi- 
dates — Anecdote of Rusk — Preachers and Churches — "The Glor- 
ious Fourth" at Galveston in 1838 — The Bonnell Expedition — 
Houston's Administration; Its Work — Lamar President — My 
Experience as a Granger 71-95^ 

CHAPTER FIVE. 
Our French Naval Visitors in 1838 — Festivities at Houston and 
Galveston — The Selection of Austin as the Capital of the Re- 
public — In the Commission Business at Houston — General 
Houston and Bride Our Guests — The Carvass of 1840-41 in 



CONTENTS. 



Harris County and ily.Election as Clerk of the District Court — 
The Canvass for the Presidency of the Republic Between Bur- 
net and Houston and the Election of the Latter — Henry Smith 
Declining to Be a Candidate for Vice-President, Ed Burleson 
Becomes the Running Mate of Houston and Is Elected — The 
Santa Fe Expedition — My Brother Tom a Lieutenant in the Ex- 
pedition — Lamar's Work in the Cause of Education — Expulsion 
of the Cherokees from Texas — Collapse of the Public Credit, 
and the Beginning of Retrenchment 96-106 

CHAPTER SIX. 
Some Notable Alen of the Republic: W. H. Wharton, E. S. C. 
Robertson, Edward Burleson, R. M. Williamson, Robert Wilson, 
Richard Ellis, Henry Smith, Emory Raines, Dr. Alexander Ew- 
ing, Thomas F. McKinney, Sam ]\I. Williams, and William L. 
Hunter 107-119 

CHAPTER SEVEN. 

Method of Business in the Clerk's Office — ;My Fondness for 
Horses — Purchase of a Ranch and Stocking It — Removal to My 
Ranch in 1847 — Our Neighbors — Agricultural Work and Stock- 
raising — A Round-up — Incidents in the Life of a Cowboy — The 
Laziest Man in Texas — JNIy Negro Stockmen — As a Cattle 
Baron— The Cattle Trade Then and Now 120-140 

CHAPTER EIGHT. 

Honors to President-elect Houston En Route to the Capital — His 
Inauguration and the Inaugural Ball — Appointments by the 
President— Comptroller Again — How Austin Then Appeared — 
Resign the Comptrollership and Return to Houston — The Work- 
ings of Retrenchment — The Exchequer System in Finance — The 
Vasquez Raid — Called Session of Congress at Houston — The 
WoU Raid — Volunteers — The Somervell Expedition — Dissen- 
sions and Disaster at Mier — The Texas Prisoners — Congress at 
Washington — Depreciation of the Exchequers — Seat of Govern- 
ment Troubles — Complimentary Resolutions to President Hous- 
ton 141-156 

CHAPTER NINE. 
Anson Jones President — His Policy Outlined in His Inaugural 
Address — Discussion of Annexation Between Mr. Donelson and 
Secretary Allen — The Seat of Government Trouble Again — 
Houston on Annexation — My Letter to President Jones — Mex- 
ico Conditionally Acknowledges Independence of Texas — Vari- 
ous Annexation Meetings — Convention of 1845 — The Republic 
in Danger — President Jones Vindicates Himself — Annexation 
Consummated — The Closing Scene and the President's Farewell 
Address 157-178 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER TEN. 
Texas in the Union — Henderson Governor — The Mexican War — 
Texans at IMonterey — General Henderson and His Brigade — 
Ben McCulloch and Buena Vista — Hays and Walker with 
Scott — Peace and Territorial Expansion — Democratic Party Or- 
ganization — The Glor'ous Fourth at Austin in 1846 — Educa- 
tional Interests in Houston — Henderson's Welcome Home — His 
Character 179-189 

CHAPTER ELEVEN. 
Wood's Administration — Federal Usurpation at Santa Fe — The 
Public Debt — Governor Bell — Settlement of the Santa Fe Ques- 
tion — Seat of Government Election — Texas Newspapers — Scal- 
ing the Public Debt — Whig Convention in 1852 — Election of 
Pease as Governor over Ochiltree — Education, Railroads, Public 
Buildings — Settlement of the Public Debt — The Know-Nothing 
Party — The Organized Democracy in 1856 — Know-Nothing 
Convention at Austin — Houston the Know-Nothing Leader in 
Texas — The National Canvass, and Personal Incidents 190-208 

CHAPTER TWELVE. 
Waco Convention and Its Nominees, Runnels and Lubbock vs. 
Houston and Grimes — Candidates for Congress — Canvass for 
the State Ticket — Reagan and Evans Difficulty — Various Inci- 
dents — Complete Democratic Victory 209-222 

CHAPTER THIRTEEN. 
The vSeventh Legislature — Election of United States Senators — 
The Inauguration and Addresses of Runnels and Lubbock — 
The Message — P^stablishment of the University of Texas — Joint 
Resolutions — Frontier Protection — Debates and Debaters — Res- 
olutions in Memoriam — Stockdale and Bob Taylor Incident — 
State Convention of 1858 — Democratic Mourners' Bench and 
Repentant Sinners 223-235 

CHAPTER FOURTEEN. 
The Ranch Again — My Preparations for Raising Asiatic Poul- 
try — The Various Breeds Kept Separate — Some Pleasure, but 
No Profit to Me in the Business — Government Importation of 
Camels in 1856-57 — A Private Cargo at Galveston — A Year's 
Experience with This Lot of Camels on My Ranch — Items of 
Camel Life — Mrs. Looscan's Recollections of the Camels 236-242 

CHAPTER FIFTEEN. 
State Convention at Houston in 1859 — The Platform — Its Expan- 
sion Plank — Tabling of African Slave-Trade Resolutions — The 
Nominees— Congressional Conventions and Candidates — Run- 
nels and Lubbock vs. Houston and Clark — Campaign Inci- 



CONTENTS. 



dents — Election of United States Senator — Houston Governor — 
Financial Stress — Frontier Troubles — State Convention at Gal- 
veston — Resolutions — The Delegates to Charleston 243-266 

CHAPTER SIXTEEN. 
National Democratic Convention at Charleston — Disagreement as 
to Platform and Withdrawal of Southern Delegates — The Con- 
vention Fails to Make Nominations and Adjourns to Reassem- 
ble at Baltimore — Withdrawing Delegates Meet and Organize 
at Richmond — Douglas Faction Reassemble at Baltimore — Ir- 
regular Proceedings — Withdrawal of Northern Delegates — 
Douglas Nominated for President — Adjournment — The With- 
drawing Delegates Meet in Convention at Baltimore on the 
Adjournment of the Douglas Convention and Adopt for a Plat- 
form the Majority Report Made at Charleston — Breckenridge 
Nominated for President by Delegates Representing a Majority 
of the States — Yancey's Speech — Adjournment 267-294 

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. 
Anti-Democratic Politics — Constitutional Union Convention — 
Bell Nominated — Platform- — Houston Announces as the Peo- 
ple's Candidate for President — Lincoln and the Republican 
Party — The Feeling in Texas Over Lincoln's Election — The Se- 
cession Convention — Texas Joins the Confederate States — The 
Committee on Public Safety — Failure of All Peace Overtures 
from the South— War Begins 295-313 

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. 
Union Element in Texas — Frank Terry, Tom Lubbock, and Tom 
Goree at the Front — Compliments for Gallantry at Manassas — 
Military Operations in the State — Shelling at Galveston — Pro- 
test of Foreign Consuls to Captain Alden — My Candidacy for 
Governor — Dallas Convention — Terry Rangers — Trip to Rich- 
mond and First Impressions of President Davis — On My Way 
Home I Saw Tom for the Last Time 314-328 

CHAPTER NINETEEN. 
Lubbock's Administration — Inauguration and Address — Some 
Appointees — Message Extracts — Personnel of the Ninth Legis- 
lature — Historic Buildings — General Hebert and Coast Opera- 
tions — My "Burning" Letter — My Veto Message — Texan Forces 
in the Field and Noted Texas Rangers 329-356 

CHAPTER TW^ENTY. 

The Frontier Regiment — ]\Iilitia Organization — Message on 

United States Bonds — The Military Board — Letter to Me from 

Secretary Benjamin — Exchange of United States Bonds for 

Confederate States Bonds — Opinions of Wigfall, Hemphill, 



CONTENTS. 



Waul, and Reagan — My Keply to Secietary Benjamin — The 
Board's Circular Address — Arsenal, Cap and Cartridge Factory 
at Austin — War Legislation — Colonel Baylor, Conquerer of 
Arizona — President Davis on Retaliation — The Twin Sisters — 
Attitude of Texas in the War — Mason and Slidell — Confederate 
Disasters — Coast Army Ordered to Arkansas 357-370 

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE. 
Arrival of Col. Tom Lubbock's Remains at Houston — Funeral 
Obsequies — Dearth of Arms — General McLeod — Memorial Ser- 
vices at Galveston — General Houston — Col. 0. M. Roberts at 
Camp Lubbock — Austin Ladies Meet and Adopt Resolutions 
of Sympathy for Their Sisters in New Orleans — Blockaders Off 
Aransas and Velasco — Galveston Threatened — Flags of Truce — 
Martial Law — General Hebert Preparing to Evacuate Galves- 
ton — Conference of Governors at Llarshall : Its Work and Re- 
sults 377-395 

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO. 
Letter from General Hebert — General Sibley's Expedition to New 
Mexico — El Paso — March Up the Rio Grande — Battle of Val- 
verde — Official Reports^Socorro and Albuquerque — Occupa- 
tion of Santa Fe — Battle of Glorieta — Retreat — Peralto — 
Terrible March Across the Jornada — Return to San Antonio — 
Sibley's Final Report — Reiley's Mission to Chihuahua 396-409 

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE. 
Bombardment of Corpus Christi — General Bee's Report — In- 
effectual Shelling at Port Lavaca — Evacuation of Galveston and 
Its Occupation by the Yankees — Letter from Me to General 
Hebert on the Situation — Captain Henry S. Lubbock and the 
Bayou City — Colonel Burrill, General Banks, and Military Gov- 
ernor A. J. Hamilton — Our New Commander and His Plans — 
Correspondence — Preparations for Recapture of Galveston. . . .410-431 

CHAPTER TWENTY- FOUR. 
Battle of Galveston — General Magruder Leads the Land Forces 
in Person and Commodore Smith Commands the Cotton-Clads — 
A Glorious Victory — Official Reports from Both Sides — The 
Blockade Raised — General Magruder Congratulated by General 
Houston and Others — Naval Attack on Galveston — The Ala- 
bama — The Hatteras Sunk — Battle Off Sabine Pass and Con- 
federate Victory — Magruder's Reports and Recommendations — 
Results of the Month's Campaign 432-462 

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE. 
Extra Session of the Legislature — My Message in Part — Lincoln's 
Emancipation Proclamation and the Negro Question — The 
Texas Quota to the War — The Frontier Regiment — Yankee 



CONTENTS. 



Prisoners — The Support of Families of Texas Soldiers — 
Domestic Manufactories — Barbarities of the Enemy in Louis- 
iana and President Davis' Policy of Retaliation — Frontier De- 
fense 463-484 

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX. 
Inspection of the Fortifications at Galveston — Call for Ten Thou- 
sand More Troops — Want of Arms — Fall of Vicksburg — Procla- 
mations to Encourage the People — President Davis' Letter to 
Gen. Kirby Smith — Death of General Houston — Gen. Kirby 
Smith on the Situation — Second Conference of Governors at 
Marshall — Indian Frontier — Dick Dowling's Fight at Sabine 
Pass 485-509 

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN. 
Consul TheroUj at Galveston^ and Governor Pickens, of South 
Carolina — Gen. E. Kirby Smith to IMinister Slidell in Paris on 
French Intervention — Maj. John Tyler's ]\Iemorial to the Gov- 
ernor of Texas — Governor Murrah — My Last Official Message 
and Address — The Military Situation — Commissioned as 
Lieutenant-Colonel in the Confederate States Army 510-527 

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT. 
Banks' Expedition to the Rio Grande — Colonels Haynes and Davis 
and Governor Hamilton — My Assignment to Duty on Ma- 
gruder's Staff — Our Need of Arms — Confronting the Enemy on 
Matagorda Bay — Baptism of Fire — No French Intervention, 
and Change of Base by the Enemy 528-533 

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE. 

Race of Armies for Red River — Field Transportation — Trans- 
ferred to Gen. Tom Green's Staff — Travel with Servant and 
Pack Mule to the Front — On Death of General Green Assigned 
to Duty on General Wharton's Staff — Mansfield — Pleasant 
Hill — Yankee Retreat — Monett's Ferry — Alexandria — Man- 
sura — Norwood — Horrible Barbarities of the Enemy — End of 
Campaign — Return Home with General Wharton — Again at the 
Front in Louisiana 534-547 

CHAPTER THIRTY. 
President Davis Appoints Me Aide on His Staff — Affectionate 
Farewell to My Comrades and Departure for Richmond — Cross- 
ing the Mississippi at Night — Arrival at the Confederate Capi- 
tal — Condition of Affairs There— I Attend the President on His 
Visit to Hood's Army — Associates at Richmond — Hard Times — 
The Conference at Fortress Monroe — Terms, Unconditional Sur- 
render — Confederate Government Defiant — Admiral Semmes — 
The Ominous Pause 548-562 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE. 
Evacuation of Richmond — Confederate Government at Danville — 
Lee's Surrender — President Davis and Staff at Greensboro — 
Halt at Charlotte — Sherman-Johnston Negotiations — Depart- 
ure Southward of the Presidential Party and Escort — Last 
Cabinet Meeting — Last Council of War — Dissolution of the 
Government at Washington, Ga. — Mrs. Davis — The President 
and Party Captured — Indignities — My Letter Home Written 
from Macon — Augusta — Reagan, Stephens, and Wheeler — 
Fortress Monroe and Fort Delaware 563-577 

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO. 
Life in Prison — General Schoepff — My Bare Quarters — Hard 
Fare — No Books but the Bible and Prayer Book — No Letters 
Allowed to Go Out or Come In — A Ruse — News — Release — 
Washington City — Interview with Secretary Stanton and Presi- 
dent Johnson — Return to Texas via Cairo and New Orleans — 
Welcome Home — The Situation in Texas 578-594 

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE. 
Beginning Life Anew — Settlement of Debts — Removal to Gal- 
veston — Beef Packery — Heavy Losses — Business Tour to 
Europe — With Ex-President Davis in Britain and France — Re- 
turn Home 595-603 

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR. 
Reconstruction — Restoration of White Supremacy — Tax Col- 
lector — Ex-President Davis in Texas— His Welcome at Dallas — 
A Candidate Again — Troubles in Van Zandt County — Demo- 
cratic Ticket in 1878 — Elected State Treasurer 604-616 

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE. 

Removal to Austin — The State Treasury — Roberts, Sayers, and 
the Public Schools — Dr. Cooper — The University of Texas — 
Agricultural and Mechanical College — Ireland — Fence-Cut- 
ting — Ross — Prohibition — Parsons' Brigade — Elkhorn Re- 
union — Railroad Commission — Hogg — San Antonio Conven- 
tion — Wortham Treasurer — My Retirement — Ireland and the 
Granite Capitol — Davis Memorial Services 617-629 

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX. 
Family Matters — My Present Wife, Sarah Elizabeth Black Lub- 
bock — Her Carolina Family — Our Visit to South Carolina — 
Hospitable Reception — A Pleasant Sojourn — Atlanta — South- 
ern Prosperity 630-637 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN. 
Penitentiary Board and Board of Pardons — Hogg's Re-election — 
His Impress on Texas Legislation — Sherman and Burnet Monu- 
ment — Confederate Reunion and Winnie Davis — Culberson — 
Chilton — Primary Election — Omaha Excursion — Galveston 
Convention — Platform on Expansion — Sayers' Administration — 
Executive Appointments — ^A Year's Work — My Adieu 038-643 

APPENDIX. 

Texas Poets' Tribute 645-649 

Speech on Jeff Davis 650-667 

Military Board 667-670 

Manufacture of Goods at State Penitentiary in 1801-2-3 071-073 

Interesting Historical Document 673-676 



THE MEMOIRS 

OF 

FRANCIS RICHARD LUBBOCK. 



CHAPTEE ONE. 



Early Life in South Carolina^La Fayette's Visit to Beaufort — Training 
Under Irish Schoolmasters — Removal to Savannah and Death of My 
Father — Return to Charleston, and Clerk Life there — Nullification 
and Compromise, 1832-33 — Clerking and Cotton Buying in Ham- 
burg. 

My bark has a long time breasted the restless sea of life, and 
now that it is approaching the port I feel that my voyage has 
not been profitless. While I may have accomplished but little 
for the general good in proportion to my desires, I have been an 
active worker, endeavoring to serve my country faithfully. I 
may even venture to say, that according to my means and abil- 
ity I have contributed liberally to the comfort and well-being of 
my fellovvmen. I might have done the work more wisely, more 
as the Judge of all the world would approve, but not more zeal- 
ously, if I had only put as much thought on the Christian re- 
ligion as I have recently. 

I was born in the town of Beaufort, on the coast of South 
Carolina, October 16, 1815. My father, Dr. Henry Thomas Wil- 
lis Lubbock, was the son of Capt. Richard Lubbock. My mother, 
Susan Ann, was the daughter of Capt. Francis Saltus, all citi- 
zens and residents of Beaufort district, South Carolina. Both 
grandparents were English. My grandfather Saltus was a rich 
cotton planter. On both sides, maternal and paternal, my fam- 
ily were engaged in marine and mercantile pursuits. Captain 
Saltus was a shipowner and wharfholder in Charleston, and with 
his sons carried on an extensive hardware and ship chandlery 
business in that city. T was quite a favorite of his, and he was 
so jolly and:good to me that I loved him very dearly. He died in 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



1833, leaving my mother a fine home in Charleston. He came 
to South Carolina in tlie last decade of the eighteenth century. 

Capt. Kichard Lubbock settled in Georgia about the same 
time. He was an elegant old gentleman, and social in his habits 
and full of fun and frolic. His death occurred at Hamburg, 
S. C, I think about 1824. His wife, my grandmother, was 
Diana Sophie Sandwich, of English descent. She survived my 
grandfather till the year 1833, bequeathing at her decease a few 
thousand dollars to my mother's family. The masonic fraternity, 
of which my grandfather was an honored member, erected to 
his memory a monument on Shultze's Hill, Hamburg. My 
mother was a native of South Carolina, but my father was born 
in Georgia. He finished his literary course at Oxford, England, 
and then was graduated in medicine at the Medical College of 
Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia. He practiced his profession a 
short time in Beaufort and vicinity. During this period, in 
1811, my parents were married. A daughter was born to them 
in 1813, and I was the second child, named Francis Eichard, for 
my two grandfathers. Soon after my birth the family removed 
to Charleston. 

After making Charleston his home my father became inter- 
ested in steamboating. He commanded the first steamboat, the 
Commerce, that ever made a through trip from Charleston to 
Augusta. Henry Shultze (the founder of the town of Hamburg, 
in South Carolina, immediately opposite Augusta, Ga.), and 
others were copartners in this enterprise. 

At the age of three years I was sent to an infant school ad- 
joining our residence, at the foot of Church street, on South 
Bay, Charleston. I presume it was to keep me out of mischief, as 
they said I was very naughty, and my mother, in delicate health, 
had two other children to claim her attention. Aunt Yates, as 
I called her, was the teacher who exercised her ingenuity to keep 
my superabundant energy moving along in the right direction. 
I remember she would get me to thread needles for her accom- 
modation out of school hours. Our fondness for her kept us 
around, and lulled the restless demons within us into quietude. 
Our mothers would get a benefit only occasionally of our exuber- 
ant spirits and reckless efforts. I remember a special occasion 
when my mother must have been terribly shocked by the result 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



of one of jny adventures. We were spending Sunday at my 
grandfather's city residence, several blocks from ours, at the 
head of his wharves, knov/n as the Saltus wharves. I had a 
great fondness for boats, and owned a fine miniature schooner 
which I often sailed here. My mother, observing that I had 
lugged my boat with me, forbade me to take her out of the house 
or go near the wharf, as it was Sunday. Wearying of the con- 
finement, I disobeyed, and taking my little beauty, I repaired to 
the water side and there began sailing her, the plan being to 
start my boat from one side of the wharf by getting into a 
yawl and steering her across the dock to another yawl. Then, 
resetting the sails, I would turn her back to the point of starting. 
After making several trips, my boat was about to pass the land- 
ing place; to prevent this, I jumped hastily into the yawl, which 
careened as I leaned forward to seize my boat, and I fell over- 
board. I was sinking for the third time, when a seaman who had 
just landed from his vessel, observing me, sprang into the yawl, 
and seizing me by my leather cap (that fitted very close to my 
head, and was fastened by a strap under my chin), drew me from 
the water in an unconscious state. He took me in his arms to 
my grandfather's house, where I was laid down on the floor. It 
,was then discovered whom the stranger had rescued from a 
watery grave. With much difficulty I was restored to life and 
consciousness. 

It is said that truth is stranger than fiction. The man who 
saved my life was Capt. William Young, a nephew of my grand- 
father's. He had just landed one of my grandfather's vessels, 
which he commanded, and my kinsman had no idea whom he 
had rescued till he arrived at the house bearing his cousin in his 
arms, a truant, drowned boy. 

For several weeks I was quite sick from the effects of the 
salt water, and though finally restored to robust health, I was 
very restless at night, dreaming continually that I was drowning. 

Providence seems to have guided me all along the line, giv- 
ing me this very severe lesson and punishment for disobedience 
and Sabbath-breaking, one perceptible to a child not yet seven 
years of age. I have learned since then that a more severe pun- 
ishment in its results is Sabbath-breaking that gives us pleasure 
at the time and entirely unattended by outward mishaps for 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



that hardens us in the evil habit with all its serious conse- 
quences. 

It was next decided to send me off to a boarding school. I 
suppose, as I was considered man enough to launch my boat in 
a harbor of the broad Atlantic, it was a very proper decision on 
the part of my parents, though I was of such a tender age. I 
was placed under the tuition of an Irish schoolmaster, Patrick 
Brett, and boarded with his family at Edgefield. He subse- 
quently removed to Beaufort, taking me with him. 

I have sometimes said that all I knew in school books was 
beaten into me by an Irish schoolmaster. Most certainly I made 
rapid progress in my studies under his tuition; for he was a 
most excellent instructor, and a man of fine presence, though a 
severe master. He believed in flogging, and being a man of 
strong passions, sometimes appeared cruel. His wife, a lovely 
woman, was very kind and helpful to the children. 

Irritated one day by the loss of his favorite whip, which I 
was instrumental with some other boys in having destroyed, 
Brett said after finding out the guilty ones that he would flog us 
all. But later he promised to let me off if I would buy him an- 
other whip like the one destroyed. Though I bought the whip, 
giving $1.25 out of my pocket money, I was flogged unmerci- 
fully, like the other older participants in the mischief. This 
flagrant bad faith on the part of the teacher shocked the moral 
sense of the whole school and caused considerable indignation. 

As soon as my father heard of the affair he came to Beaufort, 
giving Mr. Brett a piece of his mind while in hot temper; not 
that anybody ever thought of objecting to flogging — that was 
good for such boys as they sent off to boarding school; but it 
must be done fairly and squarely. He took me away from this 
school and placed me with Mrs. Agnew, a first-class lady of a 
cultured family, to attend Beaufort College. Eev. Mr. Camp- 
bell was principal, with authority to flog me when I needed it. 

At this school I began Latin, which was continued through 
my school days; but not an intelligent word of it would linger 
in my memory. By my experience, however, as a clerk of the 
court, a "venire," "habeas corpus," "amicus curiae," and so 
forth, were made familiar to me at that time. But I suppose it 
served its purpose, trained my mind a little, and kept me out 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



of mischief while I was at it. I got up a little enthusiasm in 
my studies at Brett's, there being nothing else to occupy my 
mind. But at Mrs. Agnew's I sought other sources of activity. 

I was not a studious boy, nor was I a cherry-tree George 
Washington boy either; so becoming disgusted with my books, 
I determined to go on a pleasure trip. I walked fourteen miles, 
crossing Port PoA^al ferry. Arriving at my grandfathers planta- 
tion, I said to him that hearing he was ill I came out to see 
him. He patted me on the head, and complimented me for being 
a brave and good boy. He was, however, much annoyed, because 
he was just leaving for his summer residence. He was of course 
entirely Avell, and had not been sick. He started with his good 
grandson, regretting that I would lose a few days from school, 
the very thing I visited him for. My behavior was very ugly 
and unjustiliable, and this time I was checked up. He had pro- 
ceeded but a short distance when Dr. Fuller in his carriage, 
going to Beaufort, met us. My dear old grandfather, after ex- 
plaining my goodness in coming to see him, and his dislike to 
my losing a day from school, requested him to deliver me at 
Beaufort^ which was done. Next morning I reported, and re- 
ceived a sound thrashing for absenting myself without leave. 
They did not spend sentiment, but thrashed a boy in those 
days — probably too often. But I sometimes think a great deal 
more thrashing now would be beneficial in some schools. 

In 1824, while I was in Beaufort, about nine years of age. 
General La Fayette visited the United States. He made the 
voyage from Charleston to Augusta on my father's elegant steam- 
boat, the Henry Sehultze. My father himself commanded her 
on that trip. He was an aid to the Governor of the State, James 
Hamilton, subsequently a great friend to Texas. On that oc- 
casion General La Fayette presented him with a fine gold snufE 
box, now in the possession of my niece, Adele Lockart Sayers, 
of Gonzales. In consequence of the steamer's running aground 
when near the town, she was detained till after night. A pro- 
cession was formed to receive our distinguished guest. I was 
in the line, carrying a sperm candle in each hand. That night, 
at the ball at ]\frs. Elliott's, I had the honor of being presented 
to the illustrious general, and complimented by him for my 
manliness and patriotism. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



A startling accident occurred that evening amidst our pleas- 
ure. Captain Agnew, adjutant of the regiment acting as the es- 
cort, was riding very rapidly on his spirited horse, with orders 
concerning the reception. In turning a corner of one of the 
streets he collided with a heavy gig driven by a boy, and con- 
taining two ladies going to the ball. They also were driving 
rapidly. One of the shafts with a sharp point entered the lower 
part of the neck of Agnew's horse, and also made a fearful wound 
in the thigh of the rider. He and his horse were borne off 
bleeding. Careful nursing and attention for many months 
finally restored the captain to perfect health. He lived with his 
mother, the lady with whom I boarded. The horse, too, after 
a time was all right. He was from that night called La Fayette. 
He was a beautiful bright bay with a black mane and tail, and 
an elegant saddle animal. After that I enjoyed many a good 
ride upon his back, for I was allowed the privilege of riding the 
family horses. 

Through all these years Beaufort has been one of the pleas- 
ures of memory. At the time of La Fayette's visit I fairly ef- 
fervesced with delightful enthusiasm. It was a holiday for every- 
body. Our guest was a hero. He came in my father's boat and 
I took great pride in the Henry Shultze. Steamboats were not 
common things in those days as they are now. My pleasure was 
toned down soon by the fact that the very next trip after she took 
La Fayette to Augusta, via Beaufort, a fire broke out on the 
steamer while lying at the Augusta wharf. She had a large quan- 
tity of powder on board, so that the fire department were warned 
not to approach too near. The boat was soon blown up, scat- 
tering her cargo and portions of the wreck far and wide. The 
carpenter, Jim Porter, a free colored man, for whom my father 
was guardian and with whom I was intimately friendly, carried 
with him on the boat a fine fowl of the best game blood. This 
cock was a passenger, and soon became quite as famous in our 
section as La Fayette was illustrious on a wider stage. He was 
blown high up into the air; the boat went down to her wheel- 
house. The bird, on coming down, lighted on one of them, 
crowed — though nearly featherless — and appeared ready to fight 
the foe that had so rudely driven from his quarters his eockship. 
He was cared for as a great hero, and exhibited as the brave 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



gamecock def3'iDg the powder, to the admiration of hundreds of 
men and boys. Although 1 never fought them, even when it 
was fashionable for gentlemen to do so, I always liked game 
chickens for their great pluck and beauty. It is said that a 
gamecock is the bravest thing in the world. If a bird ever runs 
from cold steel he has dunghill in him. 

I was always fond of riding horses. My earliest recollection 
tells me of visiting a menagerie, and while many of the small 
boys were afraid, I just insisted that I should ride upon the 
giraffe or camelopard. My father, who was with me, indulged 
my whim, of course taking care I was not hurt. Afterwards I 
never was afraid to ride anything. 

I vividly remember the first fall I ever had from a horse. It 
occurred in Beaufort, and was the first of many more, though I 
never was thrown by a horse except once. Mrs. Agnew had a 
very large old cream-colored horse that she drove to her gig; she 
allowed me to ride him to water, and sometimes for pleasure. 
Once I fell in with some l)oy friends, and we concluded to have 
a race. In making the run, while bearing hard and steadily on 
the reins, they broke, and over the old horse's rump I went, 
striking the ground on my head. Luckily we were at the time 
in very deep sand; so the only harm that came of it was a good 
hard fall and very dusty clothes. Of course I was chagrined 
at losing the race and having a fall, but the blame was placed "to 
the mean, no-account bridle," and not to any fault in my horse- 
manship. This I, at least, considered unsurpassed by any boy 
of my age, and my companions also recognized me as a good 
manager of a horse and a fearless rider even at that time. 

As much as I love horses, I do not like dogs. At this period 
began my antipathy. A short distance from the town a par- 
ticular friend of my father's. Dr. West, lived. I was spending 
Sunday with his boys. We, the boys, got through our dinner 
and were told we could go out and play and return for dessert. 
When called by the servant-man, we rushed for the house. Up 
on the piazza an immense dog, without any warning — not even 
a growl — seized me by the left arm and actually threw me out 
upon the ground. Upon being picked up I was found to be 
very badly bitten: one of the main arteries of my arm was sev- 
ered. The doctor took it up, and I was sent to town as soon 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



as possible. The dog was immediately dispatched; the theory 
in those days being that if the dog should ever have hydro- 
phobia in the future the party bitten would go mad. 

My wound was considered dangerous by the physicians, and 
at one time a consultation was held as to the necessity of ampu- 
tation. My father came and protested; he was a surgeon, and 
believed if they would persevere m)^ arm could be saved and 
the danger of blood-poisoning avoided. It was finally cured up 
and with no bad result, though marks made by the teeth of the 
dog are still distinct after more than half a century. This was 
one thing that was not all fun. 

Another visit to a boy friend proved serious to all except my- 
self. On this occasion several of us — Sam Lawrence, two Bowles 
boys, and myself — concluded we would prepare fireworks for the 
Fourth of July celebration. We took possession of an old family 
carriage of Mr. Lawrence that had been abandoned to prepare 
our work. The composition was placed in it, and one of the 
boys determined to test his preparation on the inside where we 
were. I protested and begged him to get away with his fire; 
that he would blow us all up. It flashed upon me that he was 
void of sense and did not see the danger. I made a desperate 
plunge to get out, and in doing so struck my head against the 
rail of the door which, fortunately being rotten, gave way and 
precipitated me to the ground. At the very moment I escaped 
from the carriage with a bruised head and a hard fall, all the 
composition and dry powder within it exploded, burning Law- 
rence and the Bowles very seriously. One of the latter came 
very near losing his eyes, and was for months confined to the 
house. The other was also much injured. It broke up our 
Fourth of July celebration that time. Thus quickness always 
served me. 

I had a royal time in my school days in the good old town of 
Beaufort, where so many of the wisest and best people of South 
Carolina lived, and so many friends of my childhood. Among 
them was dear cousin Ann Bythewood, afterwards Mrs. Oswald. 
She was cousin only in affection. Nearly every Sunday, and 
frequently Saturdays, I would spend the day with her family. 
They bestowed every care upon me, and were as kind and con- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



siderate of my little wants and comforts as my mother could 
have been. 

It almost appears as if I have not been telling about school 
life, but about a pleasure sojourn among friends. Well, school 
did not weigh heavily upon me, but even now, when I am doing 
the responsible work of a man, I have time for social pleasure; 
and I can spend an evening out and be at my desk next morning 
ready for good work. The truth is, I think it helps a man to 
take recreation; far more does it help a boy, and maybe I did 
my school work about as well as such a bundle of rollicking 
activitj' would have done it under any circumstances. 

Among the various things I experienced at Beaufort were the 
chills and fever, contracted in Edgefield district. This was con- 
sidered as a matter of course in one's life in some sections; but 
I think it was on this account that T was taken home to be put 
under treatment. 

Here I was placed in the South Carolina Society School. This 
institution was owned and managed by a very old society com- 
posed of intelligent and prominent citizens, and was attended 
only by members' children. While I was there Mr. Monk, an 
Irish gentleman, was my teacher. He was a first-class educator, 
and although like all Irish teachers (at least that's the way it 
seemed to me), somewhat arbitrary, was on the whole an ex- 
cellent man, and I esteemed him very highly. For a time my 
brother Tom attended this school with me. He and I were con- 
sidered wild, mischievous boys; not vicious, but just full of 
fun and devilment. We would play pranks — trip folks up, tie 
cats to door knockers, tin pans to dogs' tails, remove sign boards, 
fight schoolmasters, and such little pastimes. 

My overflowing spirits found vent frequently in the company 
of girls. My sister Sarah, two years older than myself, attended 
dancing school, girls' parties, and other amusements for the 
young. She was a lovely and beautiful girl. I was very fond 
of her, and she was fond of her eldest brother and proud of him 
as a chaperon. She took me to the tailor and had me dressed 
up in swallow-tail coat and brass buttons, pumps and stock, like 
a little man, preparatory to going to dancing lessons. This gave 
me a fondness for the girls and that kind of pleasure. 

]\Iy sister became a beautiful young woman, and was recog- 



10 LUBBOCK' 8 MEMOIRS. 



nized as a great belle. She was married quite young to Capt. 
James Curr}^, of Savannah, Ga., just after my father's death. 
They resided in Charleston. Captain Curry died soon after the 
birth of their second son, my sister following him very soon, 
it was said, of a broken heart. This son, Walter Curry, made a 
splendid young man. As I grieved for his mother, so I did for 
his early death, which I will speak of at the proper place. 

I attended a Sunday school as well as a dancing school and a 
day school. My religious training was not overlooked. My 
mother was a Baptist, my father an Episcopalian. In such cases 
the mother usually is authority, and she sent me to the Baptist 
church. The Rev. Eichard Furman, a grand old man, was the 
pastor, and subsequently the Eev. Basil Manly, a very popular 
minister. I was a regular Sunday school boy and enjoyed it with 
my sister and my sweetheart; for I had a sweetheart from my 
infancy. The truth is, the school time of my life was full of 
pleasure as well as profit. My family were in good circumstances 
and my father a good provider, and we enjoyed it. 

And now comes my last school year, just before I entered my 
teens. It was in Savannah, Ga., where my father moved his fam- 
ily early in 1828. Again my teacher was a native of the Emerald 
Isle, rt would seem that everything I was to learn was to be 
from the Irish. I don't know whether my father thought they 
were the best educated or the most accomplished floggers. They 
certainly had the combination. Walsh was a good teacher and a 
splendid specimen of manhood. I suppose about that time some 
of their best men, being dissatisfied with affairs in their own 
country, were coming to our Republic. I wonder if my fondness 
for the Irish was acquired by early associations. Maybe so, for 
I never cherished any ill-feeling, and I do like the impulsive, 
open-hearted character of that people. My sympathies have al- 
ways been with them, and I am for home rule in Ireland as well 
as in America. 

My father's move to Savannah I suppose was influenced by 
his losses on his steamboats. There was no insurance on the 
Henry Shultze, and the Macon, which they built afterward in 
Philadelphia, was a very costly boat and expensive to run. He, 
with the hope of recovering from his pecuniary disaster, rented 
the City Hotel, the principal one of the place at that time. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 11 



Although my mother had her suite of rooms and lived at 
ease with the children apart from the bustle of the hotel, my 
father kept me busy out of school hours assisting him in his ac- 
counts and other things I could attend to intelligently. Here 
was the beginning of my business education, so that when I was 
left an orphan boy at the head of a helpless family at the end of 
a year I felt considerable confidence in my business capacity. 

My father died of country fever while he was preparing for a 
trip to England to look after an estate to which he was entitled. 
He was just thirty-seven years old. 

Happily he left us with a large and valuable home in Charles- 
ton, near the Battery, to which we at once returned, with a small 
income and a large family, two daughters and five sons — Sarah 
Sophia, Ann Bythewood, Francis Richard, Thomas Saltus, Wil- 
liam Martin, Henry Shultze, and John Bell. 

1 was old beyond my years in worldly experiences, and realized 
at once the difference between Frank Lubbock with a father and 
Frank Lubbock without a father. 

Though never studious, I was called smart, active, and indus- 
trious. I could keep accounts and had a very general idea of busi- 
ness; so I decided with a quick, firm resolve to attend school no 
more and at once to seek work. In this way I could relieve my 
mother of supporting me and possibly aid her. 

An opportunity offered to enter the hardware establishment 
of Mr. James H. Merritt, an Englishman of very austere mien, 
and with very arbitrary business rules. My grandfather Saltus 
protested against my going to him, saying, "With your positive 
and independent manner and quick temper, together with his 
arbitrary conduct and real meanness to his employees, for I 
know him, you will not remain with him a month, and it will 
have the effect of injuring you. Do not go there; wait awhile." 
But I was not one of the waiting kind. No other opening being 
in sight, I accepted the place, beginning work at $12.50 per 
month — not much, to be sure; but it helped to move along. 

As my grandfather had told me, it was rough sailing from the 
start. I found my employer unreasonably exacting, very severe, 
and at times cruel to the negroes in his service. He would lec- 
ture me, and then, when T would stand no more, he would com- 
pliment me and raise my salary. To show how exacting he was 



12 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



at times, should I, as I did sometimes, dress up at dinner, so I 
could go directly from the store in the evening to one of my en- 
gagements (I belonged to several organizations, social, military, 
and political), just so sure would he have something special and 
mean for me to do, such as polishing up rusty saws, knives, and 
carpenters' tools. I learned, however, to manage this matter. 
I took care, when I desired to leave early, to wear my store 
clothes, and to appear entirely indifferent as to the time of quit- 
ting work. 

However, I had said to my grandfather and others in the be- 
ginning, "I will stick," and "stick" I did. I remained in this 
employment three years, instead of one month, as predicted. 

When I took the position with Merritt, a very dear friend of 
mine, Mr. David L. Adams, a large cotton merchant, cautioned 
me about the wild boys with whom I would come in contact, 
counseling me to avoid card-playing, ardent spirits, and tobacco, 
saying, "I have tried all of these; they are useless, and injure 
one mentally and bodily." He did not caution me against the 
girls. I was verj' social and visited constantly, being very fond 
of them. In most families there was a sideboard in the house, 
on which liquors, wines, and cordials were offered me guests. 
I persistently refused to indulge, and up to the time of my 
landing upon Texas soil I never partook of ardent spirits, and 
up to this good hour I have never had a piece of tobacco or cigar 
in my mouth. 

I have always been thankful for friendly advice, and one of 
the causes of my success in life has been that I have so often fol- 
lowed it. I tried to be careful of my conduct. I lived with my 
mother; she was always in delicate health, and in addition was 
so near-sighted that she could not recognize her own children 
beyond a few feet. Thus there was the more responsibility rest- 
ing upon me, and the greater reason for circumspection. 

But, impulsive and excitable, sometimes I had on too much 
steam and ran off the track. Just about the beginning of my 
clerk life I was involved in a foolish affair that was kept quiet 
at the time. In the face of my own hasty action, Providence 
seemed to have spared us from what came near being a sad oc- 
currence to many. My brother Tom was attending the South 
Carolina Society School. W. D. Porter was his teacher, an ad- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 13 



mirable j^oung man, afterward rising to considerable distinction 
in the State. He concluded it was necessary to chastise Tom. 
Tom was very stout for his age, about twelve years, and one of 
the most stubbornly brave and plucky boys I ever knew. Porter 
worsted him on the occasion spoken of after a hard tussle. Tom 
refused to return to the school, and after a recital of his wrongs, 
we determined to whip Porter. 

The latter frequently walked at night upon the Battery. He 
lived, as we did, in the vicinity of this lovely spot. We took the 
opportunity when no one was near, and made the attack. We 
were fierce, and while he was very strong, we punished him quite 
severely. In the conflict we bore him back to the rail of the 
Battery wall, the water of the L'cean lashing the wall and the 
spray beating over as in a gale. He was about to topple over 
into the sea, when, with our strength exerted to the utmost, we 
drew him back. 

Somewhat alarmed, we left him about where we found him, 
a badly used up pedagogue, with his fine clothing nearly ruined. 
Tom, of course, never returned to the school, and the affair was 
at an end and hushed iip. Our families were intimate friends, 
and some family connection existed. Two boys learned a better 
lesson the time they whipped a schoolmaster than they ever 
learned when the schoolmaster whipped them. 

I remember as it were yesterday an affair between Mr. Walsh 
of Savannah and Tom Lubbock. He punished with his ruler 
very freely on the hands, sometimes so severely that the boy 
could scarce use them for days. Tom, called up to receive pun- 
ishment in that way, determined to make a passive resistance. 
He walked up with his hands in his pockets, and positively re- 
fused to take them out, whereupon Mr. Walsh undertook to 
take them out himself. Tom's pants were of good material, his 
pockets deep, his muscle fine, his courage and endurance unsur- 
passed. He was tossed almost to the ceiling, buffeted about, 
and severely handled, all to no purpose. The strong man puffed, 
while the school, indorsing in their hearts the bold protest made 
against the common enemy, watched with admiration the boy's 
pluck, and were elated when he came off conqueror, for his hands 
were never drawn from his pockets. After this the ruler was 



14 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



not* so frequently in demand. It may be that a schoolmaster 
learned something on this occasion. 

The Nullification excitement arose very high in South Caro- 
lina during the year 1832. General Scott came down as a pacifi- 
cator, and succeeded admirably in that role. But the influence 
of Virginia really saved the Union at this time. Grand old Vir- 
ginia exercised a more potent influence in that respect than 
Scott or even Clay. South Carolina voluntarily rescinded her 
Ordinance of Nullification, and the Civil War was staved off 
nearly three decades. 

South Carolina in November, 1832, passed her famous Nulli- 
fication Ordinance, making null and void within her limits the 
oppressive Federal law of 1828. -As President Jackson declared 
by his proclamation his intention to execute the law at Charles- 
ton at all hazards, and sent General Scott down to look after 
the forts in Charleston harbor, war appeared imminent. But 
Virginia came forward as a peacemaker. Her Legislature, late 
in January, 1833, passed resolutions recommending that South 
Carolina repeal her Nullification Ordinance and that Congress 
mitigate the ofl^ensive tariff law, and sent as a peace commis- 
sioner Hon. Ben Watkins Leigh to Charleston. Mr. Leigh did 
his part well in counseling moderation and mutual concession. 
Congress early in March passed Mr. Clay's compromise bill 
lowering the high tariff", and South Carolina a week or two later 
repealed the Ordinance of Nullification. That there was not a 
collision of forces was not due to any lack of bluster on the 
part of Jackson, but rather to the moderation of General Scott, 
to the patriotism of the Virginia commissioner, Leigh, and to 
the conciliatory policy of Henry Clay. 

Once during the great political struggle between the Union 
men and Nullifiers the two parties were out m procession at 
night. In passing each other something of a collision occurred, 
Mr. James Adger, of the Union party, was struck. He was a 
very elegant gentleman, a large hardware merchant, and next 
door to Mr. Merritt. My employer was called upon about it, 
and an attempt made by some parties to convict me of the act. 
Circumstances sometimes combine to hold a boy up to unjust 
criticism, and even condemnation, when he is innocent of wrong- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 15 



doing, as T was in this instance. I was honorably exculpated, 
and retained the confidence of my employer and friends. 

This 5'ear, 1832, was a period of great political excitement. I 
took eager interest in the issues pending, attended all the po- 
litical gatherings, and listened to speeches by many of the dis- 
tinguished men of South Carolina then engaged in the great 
State's rights struggle. At one time or another during my 
Charleston life, I heard Hayne, McDuffie, Turnbull, Hamilton, 
Pinckney, and Calhoun speak. 

There was a Young Men's State's Eights Association, formed 
of young men from eighteen to twenty-one years. I was only 
seventeen, and I am proud to say that the constitution was 
changed that I might be received as a member, and I was im- 
mediately made secretary of the organization. That was the 
period that fixed my political belief and made of me a State's 
Eights Democrat, from which faith I have never wavered to this 
good day. I was also a sergeant in an artillery company. I had 
previously had some military aspirations, and received through 
General Hamilton, one of my father's strong friends, an ap- 
pointment to a cadetship at West Point. But on due reflection 
and consultation with the family, I felt constrained to decline 
the honor. What influence on my subsequent career the ac- 
ceptance of this appointment might have had I can not now 
conjecture. It is certain, however, from my principles, that I 
would have sided with my native State in any conflict with the 
Federal Government. 

My clerk life was one of great labor and activity, and each 
day after my duties were performed at the store, I was kept 
busy with my military company, political organization, and 
social duties. My afternoon holidays were few and far between. 
Then I had a horse or a boat. My sweetheart had a share of my 
attention. As she lived a long way from my home, and I had 
been on my feet all day, I rigged up a novel mode of transporta- 
tion. I could not afford a riding-horse, and, sorrowful to think 
of, there were no street cars and no bicycles. What "a love of a 
thing," to use a lad5'''s expression, is a bicycle. I almost feel like 
trying one now. Then what a halo of glory it would have shed 
around my boy life in the city, with my girl more than a mile 
away! But love laughs at difficulties, and the fellow that swam 



16 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



the Hellespont would be no greater hero than I if I had some 
great poet to make rhymes about how Francis Kichard sur- 
mounted obstacles to get a smile from pretty brown eyes. But 
I had no poet, and I will just tell a plain, unvarnished story — 
I rode a mule. 

By chance I got this mule, a small, unbroken one, for a very 
little money. At first it was pretty nearly equal to working my 
passage on a canal boat, for he was a contrary little rascal. 
Soon, however, with the aid of a small club, I taught him to 
turn a street corner. If desiring to go to the left, I would give 
him a good rap on the right jaw, and so if I wished to turn to 
the right, I would give him a reminder on the left. Nothing 
would have induced me to ride him through the streets in day- 
light. But this was before the time of electricity or even gas, 
and I could pass unnoticed, avoiding the stare and perhaps the 
jests of my friends at being so grotesquely equipped for court- 
ing. In daylight when I rode horseback, though I could sel- 
dom afford the luxury, I took good care to procure a spirited 
livery animal. In returning from an afternoon ride on the line 
of the South Carolina Railroad, when within a few miles of the 
city the Charleston train came steaming along and was about 
to pass me, I concluded I could keep along with it and probably 
outrun it. After keeping well up for a time my saddle turned, 
taking me with it. Fortunately, the girths were good and strong. 
I felt that my safety depended on my holding on, which I did 
to the very long mane of my horse. It appeared that at every 
jump I would be struck by the horse's hoofs. I escaped that 
danger, however, and finally succeeded in again getting my sad- 
dle and self on his back without sustaining any injury. I was 
greatly complimented on my expert horsemanship. This was 
the first railroad I ever saw, and if it was not the first built, it 
was at that time the longest line in the United States. It might 
appear to any boy at this day very foolish to attempt to outrun 
a steam engine, but at that time I was not far off when I thought 
a good saddle horse with a dashing rider could outrun an iron 
horse. At all events I knew more about steam then than the 
solons of Congress did about telegraphy, when they made sport 
of Morse's first project on that line. 

While clerking with Merritt, my uncle, Capt. Richard Lub- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 17 



bock, came into port at Charleston with his brig laden with a 
cargo of salt from Turk's Island. When ready to sail he invited 
me to visit him and go out with him in his ship over the bar. 
I accepted his invitation, and was on board by daylight. After 
a cordial greeting we breakfasted, and then we sped out over the 
bar. Once in the open sea, I bid a final farewell to my uncle, 
who died soon afterwards from hardship and exposure. I took 
passage back on the pilot boat, which on account of business 
with other ships did not make the harbor until about night. My 
long-delayed return excited some uneasiness with my mother 
and einployer, as I had gone off without notifying anyone of my 
intentions, expecting to get back early in the morning. 

On one of those glorious afternoon holidays several of us boys 
concluded to hire a boat and take a grand sail over to Sullivan's 
Island. The owners of the boat rigged her, hoisted her sailsy 
and started us off. One of the party, taking the helm, assumed 
command. 

For awhile everything was calm, and we sailed along enjoy- 
ing our voj^age immensely. After getting out some four or five 
miles and nearing the island, the weather became squally. The 
captain and the crew lost their heads and made for the land as 
direct as possible. Just before reaching the shore our boat cap- 
sized and lay bottom upward. Luckily we were close to the 
shell beach, and the entire party reached the island in safety, 
but looking like drowned rats. 

We then took a steamer back to the city and notified the 
owner of the boat where we parted company with her. We had, 
of course, to pay damages for him to get her back into port, and 
count our ruined clothing in the cost, so that our sail was a 
somewhat expensive affair for boys' purses. We unanimously 
resolved that when boys launch a boat in big waters, if they 
would not come to grief they must have an old tar at the helm. 

While I was a good worker and very attentive to business and 
recognized as entirely reliable (for had I been otherwise I never 
could have remained with my exacting employer), I had my fun 
and a jolly good time all the same. I started out in life to do 
that. 

I had enjoyment with the girls, pleasure with horses, excite- 
ment with steam cars, jolly times with the boats, glory with 



18 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



the military, and unbounded enthusiasm with public meetings 
and politics, and all this in the three years of the meanest 
drudgery of my life. Drudgery it was, but in it I made a repu- 
tation that gave me my future business openings; drudgery it 
was, but it was an education in business methods that served me 
well in all my after years. 

Upon leaving Mr. Merritt, on the very day, at an increased 
salary, I entered into service with a West India commission 
house. My cousin, F. C. Black, the proprietor, handled large 
cargoes of sugar, coSee, cigars, and other tropical produce. 

After a short time of service with Mr. Black, I was offered a 
more eligible position in Hamburg, S. C. This I accepted, mov- 
ing to that place in 1832, going into the house of Tully F. & 
H. W. Sullivan, large dealers in general merchandise, with cot- 
ton warehouse attached. I was placed in charge of the ware- 
house. This town was next in importance to Charleston as a 
cotton market. 

J\ly friend Adams, heretofore spoken of, was a large buyer, 
and stored with us. He gave me the authority to buy cotton for 
him, and I was allowed to do so by the firm. This gave me a lit- 
tle income beyond my salary. My commission was fifty cents 
per bale. The cotton was brought in on wagons. The buyers 
would meet the teamsters, take samples of their cotton, sit 
down on the store steps or under a tree, make offers, and trade. 

About the very first day that I tackled a teamster, being new 
in tlie business and fearful of my inexperience, I held the sam- 
ples too long to suit an impatient young Irish buyer named 
Eooney. He became rather offensive, twitting me as to my slow- 
ness and greenness. Finally he attempted to take the samples 
out of my hands. In the scuffle that ensued I came off vic- 
torious, and outsiders exhibited an increased respect for one 
who never failed to defend his rights when invaded. 

I had many friends in Hambiirg and was received very cor- 
dially in tlie town. My name was known and highly regarded, 
on account of my grandfather Lubbock's long residence there. 

I spent much of my leisure with my friend, Mr. Adams, at 
his country residence. I had also a dear friend in Miss Caro- 
line Hammond, the sister of Governor Hammond of South Caro- 
lina; they resided in Edgefield also. My grandmother Lubbock, 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 19 



after my grandfather's death, had removed over to Augusta 
and I had other relatives near by in Georgia. My employers 
were kind, considerate, and liberal, so that I lived a life of hap- 
piness in Hamburg, never dreaming of a change. 



20 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



CHAPTER TWO. 

Business in New Orleans — The firm of Keichum & Lubbock, Drug- 
gists — Marriage with a Creole Girl in the Crescent City — Louisiana 
Sugar Planters and Government Protection — My Wife and I on a 
Visit to My Mother in July, 1835 — Incidents of Our Return Home — 
Business Reverses and Recuperation — My Brother Tom a Volunteer 
in the Texas War — Visit to Texas in 1836^ — Tom's Story of Adven- 
ture — Favorable Impression of Texas and the Texans. 

But in the very next year, 1834, Mr. Willis Holmes, who had 
gone from Hamburg to New Orleans and engaged in the cotton 
brokerage there, returned for the summer. I had a particular 
friend and boon companion, Charles T. Ketchum. His son. 
Dr. Ketchum, also a friend of mine, resides now at Navasota, 
Texas. Mr. Holmes was on intimate terms with the Ketchum 
family. Charles was in the drug business with a mutual friend. 
Dr. Millican. He had a large experience for a young man, and 
was considered a first-class druggist. Mr. Holmes talked to us 
very freely from time to time during his stay, making us under- 
stand what an elegant city New Orleans was, and how easy it 
was to make money there with a small capital. He particularly 
recommended to Ketchum the drug business as being immensely 
profitable. After giving the subject due consideration, we de- 
termined to go to New Orleans early in the fall. 

The next question was means. I had saved up a few hundred 
dollars; so had Ketchum. I was only eighteen years of age; he 
also eighteen, but a few months younger than I. We had both 
been at work for ourselves for years, and felt that we were men 
and fully competent for business. I had no idea of the drug 
business, but I could learn, and I could keep the books and sell 
goods, while Ketchum would specially attend the prescription 
department, which would be the money coining part of the con- 
cern. 

I wrote to my relative and guardian, Mr. Francis C. Black, 
of Charleston, opening up the whole business to him. I said to 
him, "Can you give me the funds, some two thousand dollars, 
that you have of mine? Will you risk me? If I succeed, all 
will be well; if I fail, I will never call on you for another cent.'* 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 21 



He answered, without any hesitation, "The money is at your 
disposal" That gratified me as much as the confidence of the 
Texas people, when they trusted me with greater sums years 
afterwards. 

So prompt were we, that we obtained letters from the drug 
men of Augusta and Hamburg, and from friends, indorsing us 
as proper young men, stating how much money we could pay 
down and the amount of stock we wished to purchase. In a 
few days orders were sent to Philadelphia and the goods di- 
rected to be shipped to New Orleans, so that they would arrive 
about the time we would be there to receive them. 

All things being arranged, Ketchum and I left Hamburg in 
time to reach the Crescent City about the first day of October, 
1834. 

I M^as eager to pursue my fortune in the Great West. I was 
regretful, it is true, at leaving them, but neither a pleasant sit- 
uation, nor friends, nor home, nor mother, nor sweetheart, could 
hold me back from the splendid success we anticipated. 

As in Charleston, so in Hamburg I found a girl that I sup- 
posed I loved desperately. The correspondence between my old 
sweetheart and myself had grown cold and colder, until it finally 
ceased, and I spent many of my leisure hours in the delightful 
society of my new one, horseback riding, attending church, 
rambling through the woods gathering sweet shrubs and yellow- 
Jasmines that grew luxuriantly there, and in the meantime build- 
ing air castles. When I was about to leave Hamburg I made 
an appeal that she would wait for me awhile, that I would re- 
turn and claim her. She said, "Francis, I know you better than 
you know yourself. You will soon find a girl in New Orleans 
that you will love better than you do me, and you will marry 
there." We parted good friends. The sequel will show how it 
turned out. 

October, 1834, found us (Ketchum and myself) in New Or- 
leans, at the City Hotel, at that time the leading 'inn of the 
place. 

AVe had letters of introduction to many parties. Some of 
them we delivered promptly, hoping to get information as to 
business matters, such as rents and eligible locations. I had 
letters to Mr. John B. Leefe, who knew me as a boy, our fam- 



22 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



ilies in Charleston being well acquainted. He had been in New 
Orleans several years, and was a prominent cotton broker 
there. He had married into a well-known French Creole fam- 
ily. In a few hours after our arrival I was invited to his house, 
introduced to his wife, his mother-in-law, Mrs. Baron, his wife's 
sister. Miss Adele Baron, and to other members of his wife's 
family. 

We lost but little time in looking about for a location. 
Matthew Morgan, a large real estate owner, was erecting on 
Camp Street, a fine central location, several granite-front, three- 
story houses. We soon determined to take one of them. No. 37 
Camp Street. The rent was $1200 per annum. It appeared 
high to us, but we concluded we had better start on a good street 
and in a handsome house, and reduce our rent by subletting a 
portion for offices. We soon had our establishment fitted up 
nicely, and the firm of Ketchum & Lubbock, having received 
their goods, erected their sign, unfurled their banner to the 
breeze, and were recognized as men of affairs. 

Our business was good from the very beginning and increased 
rapidly. We very soon became ambitious to extend our trade, 
finding many opportunities to sell at wholesale to country mer- 
chants from Louisiana and Mississippi. Such sales were invaria- 
bly made on a credit. Our standing in New York and Philadel- 
phia being good, we ordered liberally to meet this increased 
demand; hence, for our limited capital, we were doing too much 
credit. In a very short time we also bought largely of castor oil 
in barrels, brought down the Mississippi, and shipped to Phila- 
delphia for refining. Upon several shipments we lost very heav- 
ily, on account of leakage and depressed market. It was worth 
eighty to one hundred dollars per barrel. 

In addition to this, my relative and friend, Mr. Black, of 
Charleston, having offered to advance on bacon and lard for his 
West India house, we were induced to make frequent shipments, 
and sometimes of sugar and molasses in addition. This was a 
departure from our regular line of trade, and, as is usually the 
case, proved unremunerative. 

We were economical in our store. Ketchum attended strictly 
to the sale of medicines, putting up all prescriptions. I attended 
strictly to the books and accounts, selling articles only by the 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 23 



package, and oil and paints as usually kept in such establish- 
ments. We were active, industrious, and attentive to business, 
and we believed that in the main we were doing well, and that 
our gains would far exceed our losses. 

J was in Mr. Leefe's family quite frequently. His wife was 
amiable. Her sister was there almost daily, the residence of 
her mother being in the vicinity. They all spoke French. I 
.was anxious to acquire the language, and as a favor to me Mr. 
Leefe took me to board with them. My evenings were spent at 
home, and if Miss Adele failed to be there, I soon began goinsr 
over to her mother's. She was very affable, a fine musician, 
having a beautiful voice, though her songs were in French, with 
the exception of one or two English ditties. The very fact ti^at 
she spoke little and poor English made her more interesting to 
me. As my girl friend had said to me on leaving Hamburg, I 
was soon very desperately in love with the Creole girl. I taught 
her English; she could not teach me French. I made a favorable 
impression, and on the fifth day of February, 1835, with the 
consent and approval of the entire family, was married to Miss 
Adele Baron. Her age was sixteen years and a few months, and 
mine a few months less than twenty. 

My wife's family were all Catholics. When we waited upon 
the priest for arrangements to have the bans published in the 
church, he questioned me as to my faith and certificates of bap- 
tism. I told him my father was brought up in the Church of 
England and my mother was a Baptist, hence it was my opinion 
that I had never been baptized. He exclaimed, "What! Then 
you are a heathen! I can not publish the bans or marry you 
until you are baptized." "Go on with the christening then," 
said I; "the time is fixed for marrying, and marry we must." 
So I was immediately christened. My sister Annie thinks I 
ought to have known, as she was told that we were baptized in 
infancy. 

In a few days after our marriage we located in a pleasant 
house on Carondelet Street, near our place of business. Mrs. 
Baron, with her two sons, resided with us, and we were happy 
and lived well without being extravagant. I became very fond 
of French cooking and their style of housekeeping. 

My mother-in-law and myself were always good friends, and 



24 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



since my experience in that direction I have always had a re- 
spect for a man that has sense enough to love his mother-in- 
law, and impress her with the fact that he is entitled to her 
sjjecial care and attention. 

Our life was one of active, energetic business, together with 
much jDleasure. My wife's relations were very social and fond 
of gayety, and most of my leisure time was passed with them. 
Her father, N. A. Baron, Jr., was a prominent cotton and sugar . 
dealer of N^ew Orleans, when he died of cholera, in 1832. Her 
mother was Laura Bringier, daughter of Dorado Bringier, one 
of the earliest cotton planters and afterwards one of the largest 
sugar growers in Louisiana. He came there from the San Do- 
mingo troubles late in the last century. Her uncle, Don Louis 
Bringier, was at that time the surveyor-general of the State of 
Louisiana; her widowed aunts, Tureaud, Colomb, and Bringier, 
lived on large sugar plantations on the river, not far from the 
city. To them we made frequent visits, which were enjoyed 
immensely. 

While it may be said that some of the sugar planters of Louis- 
iana were uncultured men, as a class they were well educated 
and elegant gentlemen. They were liberal and hospitable at 
the time I speak of, and up to the war between the States they 
were the most luxurious livers I have ever known, on either side 
of the Atlantic. They had fine plantations, good houses, well- 
kept grounds, excellent horses, well-trained servants, and tables 
laden with the best of everything that the New Orleans market 
or the country afforded, excellent beef and mutton, game of 
everj^ kind, fish, terrapin, tropical and other fruits, elegant sweet- 
meats, wines of every vintage, from table claret, following along 
to Burgundy and Champagne, old Cognac bringing up the rear, 
AAdth cordials of every description, especially Maraschino and 
Curacoa. 

These planters received government protection, and at that 
time they generally advocated the principles of the Native 
American party, which was very similar to what was in after 
3^ears called the Know-nothing party, and composed principally 
of old-time Whigs and high tariff protection men. Though 
while I was in New Orleans I was strictly business, and, not 
being of age, never voted, I took great interest in political mat- 




MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS. 
Thomas S. Lubbock. Henry S. Lubbock. 

Sarah S. Curry. Anna B. Lockart. 

John B. Lubbock. 



Wm. M. Lubbock 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 25 



ters, and fought this party on all occasions, particularly my 
wife's kin, who were more or less interested in sugar planting 
and wanted protection, advocating legislation, as I told them, 
for the benefit of a few at the expense of the many. I am to-day 
still fighting on the same line, opposed to all protection and class 
legislation. 

In the month of May, 1835, I received intelligence that my 
mother was ill. For a long time in feeble health, she was fail- 
ing more rapidly now. Fearing the worst for her, I immediately 
commenced preparation for the trip, and about the last of May 
left New Orleans on a sailing vessel for Charleston, that being 
considered the best way at that time to make the journey. In 
consequence of adverse winds and a very heavy storm, we had 
quite a long and disagreeable passage, arriving, however, en- 
tirely well, about the middle of June. 

The great fire that visited Charleston was at that time still 
burning, and I can never forget the night we landed, for the 
entire center of the city seemed wrapped in flames. 

We found my mother very feeble. My eldest sister, her hus- 
band, Captain Curry, a most excellent man and good son to our 
mother, with my four brothers and sister Annie were with her, 
constituting a happy household, but with a cloud overhanging 
them, the probable early departure of our devoted mother. 

From the moment my wife entered the house they all ap- 
peared delighted with her, and she grew day by day upon my 
mothers heart by her gentleness and tender care for her. As 
for me, while I could but grieve over the occasion of my visit, I 
was proud to see how they all admired my young Creole wife, 
and I was happy to know that, at a far off distance from home 
and only nineteen years of age, I had been fortunate enough to 
select a companion, a perfect stranger to my people, whom they 
could love as a daughter and sister. 

My mother's life closed on the morning of the 4th of July, 
1835, her children around her, at her residence on South Bat- 
tery, Charleston, S. C, just as the guns commenced booming in 
celebration of the day. My sister, Mrs. Curry, was afterwards 
head of the household. 

It has always been a gratification to me that, immersed as I 
was in business, and happy as I was at home with my young 



26 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



wife, that I acted so promptly and made the difficult journey 
that I might be with my mother to render aid and comfort to 
her and the family. 

My brother Tom was at home, having but recently returned 
from New York under peculiar circumstances, which I will re- 
late, for the reason that the return probably changed his entire 
life, and under Providence directed mine. 

He had selected the engineer's trade, the building of steam 
engines having made quite an impression on him. My brother- 
in-law, who was largely interested in the steamboat interest, 
selected the Allair Iron Works, of New York, the largest estab- 
lishment of the kind then in the United States. Tom was ap- 
prenticed to them by Captain Curry. He appeared pleased for a 
time, and was getting along well. 

To the amazement of the family, he suddenly appeared at 
home. This explanation followed: He was called while at work 
on a boiler to go immediately to the postoffiee. He had on his 
working suit, very black and dirty, and consumed a little while 
getting ready. The foreman called him and ordered him to go 
without changing his clothes. He refused positively to go in his 
condition, giving as a reason that he had to pass some kinfolks 
and others of his acquaintance, and he did not intend appearing 
as a chimney-sweep. "I left, here 1 am, and there is a mighty 
good engineer spoiled." He was remonstrated with, told he was 
an apprentice, and that there would be trouble. He persisted, 
and finally Captain Curry succeeded in compromising with the 
company. 

After much talk with Tom, he said, "Let me go to New Or- 
leans with you; I will get into something there; the folks will 
not be bothered with me here. I can take care of myself if you 
will give me a chance." So it was agreed, and he accompanied 
me to New Orleans. 

We had a hard trip getting back; took the South Carolina 
Eailroad to Hamburg, stopping over to see my friends. I found 
my former sweetheart married to a cousin of mine and very 
happy. She protested that she did not marry until after she 
heard of my marriage, which she had predicted. They all 
treated me very handsomely, and were delighted with my wife. 

From Hamburg we staged it to Montgomery, Ala., a long and 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 27 



wearisome trip. We had a crowded coach all the way, and it was 
very hot weather. 

Quite an amusing incident occurred at Columbus, Ga. We 
were well entertained, and the old landlady came into our room 
after dinner, entering into friendly conversation with us. She 
was quite inquisitive — What name? Where from? Where going? 
My wife replied, "We are going to New Orleans." "Why, my 
dear children, ain't you feared to go thar? The yellow fever is 
bad; killing off everybody." My wife said, "Oh, no; we are not 
afraid. I am a Creole, and as for my husband, he is from Charles- 
ton, and a Charlestonian never has yellow fever in New Or- 
leans." "Why, you children married? I though you was brother 
and sister. Why, look here, you a Creole and been to my table? 
If I had knowed you had nigger blood you couldn't have set at 
my table. But you don't look like you had any nigger blood in 
you." My wife was a blonde, with gray eyes and light brown 
hair, looking like her father, who was a Parisian. We of course 
explained to the old lady the meaning of Creole as used in 
Louisiana and eased her mind as to allowing nigger blood at 
her table. 

As more intelligent people than our landlady do not under- 
stand it, I will explain the word. Creole means a native, so 
that children born of French parents in Louisiana are desig- 
nated as French Creoles; those born of American parents as 
American Creoles; of negroes, as negro Creoles. Chickens, eggs, 
and such things are called Creole chickens, and so on, and these 
are preferred. This is the way it is used also in the West Indies. 

Between Columbus and Montgomery our stage was upset, 
wounding several passengers. My wrist was badly sprained. My 
wife was seriously injured. On arriving at Montgomery I had 
to call in medical aid to my wife, and we were delayed for awhile. 
To this occurrence was attributed her lifelong ill health, as she 
was hurt severely at a time the most critical for a woman. We 
left in a few days on a boat to Mobile, thence to New Orleans, 
arriving in September. 

The few months during our absence made some changes in 
our business, and by the next spring things became serious. We 
had a large amount out in Mississippi and Louisiana; collections 
were poor; times were becoming very stringent; '36 was a year 



28 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



of financial disaster. We had done more business than our capi- 
tal justified, and in the Black case we had gone outside of our 
business. Some of our creditors were pressing. So after ad- 
vising with friends, we determined to surrender our establish- 
ment and assets for the benefit of our creditors. We were 
honorable in giving up everything. I made no claim for money 
of Mrs. Lubbock's used in the concern, which in Louisiana at 
that day was a preferred claim. I reserved nothing but my 
horse, as I would then be living a long distance from the busi- 
ness center; my household furniture, not very expensive, I also 
retained. 

In a few days after giving up the store to the assignee I ac- 
cepted a place with the largest dealers in watches, jewelry, sil- 
verware, and firearms in the city — Whittimore, Blair & Co. — 
with a salary of two thousand dollars per annum. 

Soon after our return from South Carolina I had succeeded 
in getting a good position for my brother Tom in the cotton 
business with Mr. Holmes. Then came the circumstance that 
changed the course of our lives. Just about this time, the fall 
of 1835, much was being said about Texas. A call was made for 
a meeting to extend aid to Texas, then invaded by the Mexi- 
cans. Two friends of mine, E. C. Morris and William G. Cooke, 
were engineering the meeting. The morning after the meeting 
Tom informed me that he was the first to volunteer, and he 
wished me to assist him off. I was sadly disappointed. He had 
a good place. He was so young to go on such an expedition with- 
out a particular friend or counselor. Though well up in all 
manly sports, quite an athlete, very strong and muscular, and 
full of fire and determination, he was only seventeen years of 
age. But as he Avas fixed in his purpose, I fell into his views, 
fitted him out, and bade him godspeed, knowing that our folks 
at home in South Carolina would censure me for submitting to 
the arrangement. 

Thus he left New Orleans with his company, known as the 
"New Orleans Grays," the first volunteer company to arrive in 
Texas from abroad. They were in time to volunteer in the ad- 
vance upon and storming of Bexar. 

In the meantime the Consultation met at San Felipe in Octo- 
ber, elected Sam Houston General-in-Chief of the Texan army, 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 29 



and created a Provisional Government, with Henry Smith at 
the head. Dissensions having arisen in the government, a Con- 
vention was called to meet at Washington, with plenary powers. 
Independence was declared on March 2, 1836, a Constitution 
adopted, and a government ad interim established, with David 
G. Burnet as President. Meantime the Alamo had fallen and 
Goliad soon followed; but Houston's victory at San Jacinto on 
April 21st practically decided the independence of Texas. 
President Burnet, then upon the barren island of Galveston, 
visited Houston's camp to enter into negotiations with the cap- 
tured Mexican dictator, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. 

While Tom was going through his rough campaign in Texas 
on the flood-tide of success, I was struggling with financial diffi- 
culties on the ebb-tide of failure. By the time the little Texas 
army had completed their triumph at San Jacinto, I had squared 
up matters and was busy making a living, which, fortunately for 
me, I was able to do from my earliest boyhood without very great 
hardship. 

Messrs. Austin, Wharton, and Archer, commissioners to the 
United States, came through New Orleans in January, 1836, 
but I learned nothing from them as to my brother. As the 
summer advanced I began to think of making a trip to look 
after my soldier brother, as I could get no reliable intelligence 
of him. I asked for a leave of absence and the firm gave me 
thirty days without stopping my salary. So the Unseen Hand 
that guides us in the way, even when we plant the steps just as 
our wishes or judgment dictates, was leading me to Texas — my 
destiny. 

My boat, the schooner Colonel Fannin, after a pleasant voy- 
age from New Orleans, landed at Velasco, Texas, about the last 
of October, 1836. My main object in visiting Texas was to find 
my brother. As a soldier he had participated in the glori- 
ous struggle that had just closed, and when I began to appre- 
ciate its aim and end, I felt proud that I had fitted out one 
soldier for the Republic of Texas in the time of need. 

Velasco, on the left bank of the Brazos, at its mouth, was at 
this time the chief port of the Republic, while Quintana, on the 
opposite side, was the seat of an extensive foreign trade. Ameri- 
can Galveston had not then been established. The main busi- 



30 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



ness house here, and perhaps the largest in the whole country, 
was that of McKinney & Williams. With this noted firm I 
found brother. Our greeting was warm, as we had been sepa- 
rated a year or more. 

After sufficient talk between us on family affairs, he pro- 
ceeded to give me the following account of his adventures since 
our parting: 

"About the last of October, 1835, we landed in charge of Ed 
Hall at Velasco, from the schooner Columbus. The Grays re- 
ceived a hearty welcome from the Texans, and we organized im- 
mediately, electing Eobert L. Morris captain, W. G. Cooke first 
lieutenant, and Charles B. Bannister second lieutenant. We 
had left the United States as individuals to avoid a violation of 
the neutrality laws, hence our organization out of their juris- 
diction, though we all knew the result before; in fact, it was 
well understood in New Orleans. Dr. A. M. Levy was elected 
surgeon and Mandred Wood commisssary and quartermaster. 

"We then took passage on the Laura up the river to Brazoria, 
and thence marched overland more than 200 miles to San An- 
tonio de Bexar. General Austin was then in that vicinity with 
a Texan army. We reached his headquarters a little tired, but 
in good trim about .November 21st, and reported ready for duty 
the next day. The Grays were the first foreign company to 
join the Texans, and our arrival in camp created great enthusi- 
asm. We were well fitted out with arms and uniform, and looked 
like real soldiers. It was not long before we showed the world 
that we did not belie our looks. General Austin left in a few 
days to go as a commissioner to the United States, and General 
Burleson was chosen commander to fill Austin's place. 

"Well, you have heard about our taking Bexar. When Col. 
Ben IMilam came into camp he called for volunteeers to follow 
him into Bexar. The Grays were the first to volunteer, and 
finally about 300 came forward. We entered the suburbs of 
Bexar a little before light on December 5th in two columns, 
one commanded by Colonel Milam and the other by Col. Frank 
Johnson. JMajor Morris, our first captain, went with Colonel 
Milam. The Grays, then commanded by Captain W. G. Cooke, 
fell in line under Johnson. We had to fight our way from house 
to house. Milam was killed on the second day. Major Morris 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 31 



became then second in command under Colonel Johnson, who 
hac' been chosen leader in jDlace of Milam. We steadily advanced 
towards the plaza, firing from the housetops, and picking with 
crowbars and axes onr way through the walls of the houses. 
The Grays led the advance to the plaza, and on the fourth night 
we forced an entrance to the priest's house, driving out the Mex- 
icans. This decided the fight, as the next morning showed us 
the plaza abandoned, the enemy having retreated to the Alamo 
Mission across the river. General Cos, without any more fight- 
ing, surrendered his army of about 1100 Mexicans to not more 
than 300 Texans That was a pretty good fight, wasn't it?" 

I could but say, '"Yes." I felt prouder of Tom than ever. 
In answer to my further inquiries, he continued: 

"The storming of Bexar, the most glorious feat of arms of 
the Texan revolution, closed the campaign of 1835, and no 
armed Mexican could be found east of the Rio Grande. A 
movement against Matamoros soon began, and the army gen- 
erally scattered out in that direction — some of the Grays under 
Major Morris and others under Captain Pettis, with Colonel 
Fannin. As for myself, I remained with the small garrison at 
Bexar till late in January, 1836, when, half sick, I turned 
eastward and proceeded afoot to the Brazos Eiver. Here I fell 
in with Capt. Thomas W. Grayson, who commanded the Yel- 
lowstone steamboat on that river. (Captain Grayson was a 
family connection, and before leaving South Carolina had been 
with my father on one of his steamboats.) This staunch old 
friend took care of me while sick and then gave me employ- 
ment on his boat. 

"Before I got fairly on my feet again the terrible news reached 
me of Santa Anna's capture of the Alamo and the destruction 
of its brave defenders under Travis, Bowie, and Crockett. After 
that in a short time came the news of Colonel Fannin's surren- 
der. 

" ^Fannin was on the retreat from Goliad, as ordered by Hous- 

1 There is a melancholy interest which attaches to the name of the 
heroic but unfortunate Fannin. 

From a letter given me by the executor of the late Mr. DeflFenbaugh, 
I give these e.Ktracts, which show Colonel Fannin's exertions on behalf 
of Texan independence even before the beginning of actual hostilities, 



32 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



ton, when he was surrounded by a superior force of Mexicans 
under General Urrea and after a desperate fight compelled to 
surrender his army as prisoners of war. A week later, in shame- 
ful violation of the terms of capitulation, Urrea had shot all the 
Texan prisoners, more than 400 in number. This included 
eighteen of the Grays — two others of my old company having 
escaped. 

"When the Texas army were encamped on the Colorado, the 
Yellowstone went up after cotton. While at Groce's plantation 
the Yellowstone was pressed into service by General Houston 
on his arrival at that place, and it fell upon us to cross the Texan 
army there to the east side of the Brazos. Meanwhile Santa 
Anna, in pursuit of Houston, had occupied San Felipe with his 
army, fifteen or twenty miles below, and it was suggested that 
an attacking force on the Yellowstoiie might drop down the 
river on Santa Anna, but nothing came of it. 

"Santa Anna, baffled in his attempt to cross the Brazos at 
San Felipe by Captain Baker's company, crossed the river with 
a detachment of his army a few miles below and beat Houston 

and also reveal the fact (never found in our histories), that while at the 
United States Military Academy Fannin was known as J. F. Walker: 

"Velasco, Rio Brazos, Prov. Texas 
"Aug. 27, 1835. 
"Major Belton, U. S. A., Mobile Point: 

[After describing the political situation in Texas, Colonel Fannin 
goes on to say] : "And now comes the object of this communication, 
to wit, will you authorize me to use your name at the approaching Con- 
vention or at any subsequent time as an officer qualified and willing to 
command as brave a set of backwoodsmen as ever were led to battle? 

"The truth is, we are more deficient in suitable material for officers 
than we are vcCsoldiers, and all being Americans, will be willing — nay, 
anxious — to receive an officer of reputation. I hope to hear from you 
by the vessel which will return soon, and at any other time as you may 
think advantageous — which will be confidential or otherwise, agreeable 
to your request. 'When the hurly-burly is begun' we will be glad to 
see as many West Point boys as can be spared, many of whom are 
known to me, and by whom I am known as J. F. Walker — my maternal 
grandfather's name, and by whom I was raised and adopted, and whose 
name I then bore. . . . My last voyage from the island of Cuba 
(with 152) succeeded admirably. 

"Yr. friend, &c., 

"J. W. Fannin, Jr." 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 33 



to Harrisburg. He came near catching President Burnet, and 
burned the town. 

'"On our way down the Brazos with cotton we had trouble 
with the Mexican soldiers. They fired into the smokestack of 
the Yellowstone, hoping thereby to cripple and capture the 
boat. But this having no effect, they next tried to rope the 
smokestack, and failing in that they proceeded to stretch their 
lariats across the river; but all in vain. The machinery of our 
boat was well protected by the cotton bales, and we sped on our 
way fearlessly, and soon left all our puny enemies behind. The 
Yellowstone was a high pressure boat, built for the upper Mis- 
souri and Yellowstone — hence her name. She had a good capac- 
ity for freight and passengers, and plied the Brazos regularly 
Irom Quintana as far up as navigable. 

''We ran into Galveston Bay about the 24th of April, and 
found President Burnet camping on Galveston Island. The next 
day Captain Calder brought in the glorious news of the battle 
of San Jacinto. The Yellowstone, with President Burnet and 
part of his cabinet on board, then steamed up to the battlefield. 
I always regretted that we were too late for the great battle." 

Taking up again the thread of my narrative, I will say that 
to pay expenses on this trip I had brought with me a stock 
of merchandise, principally provisions, which I thought would 
be in demand. Besides, as I remem'bered that the country was 
in a state of war, I equipped myself with a good gun, a brace of 
pistols, and a bountiful supply of ammunition, so as to be ready 
to render any service that occasion might require. 

The short period of my stay at this town (Velasco) was filled 
with events exciting and strange to me. On the very first day 
a schooner with quite a number of passengers and a full cargo 
was wrecked upon the bar. It was said then that the Velasco 
bar was a hard sand bar, and when a vessel struck upon it she 
seldom escaped destruction. The people of the town gave every 
possible assistance with small boats; no lives were lost, and most 
of the cargo was saved. 

My first night was spent in the hotel kept by J. M. Shreve, a 

Kentuckian (subsequently he was chief clerk of the House of 

Representatives of the Eepublic of Texas and I an assistant). 

His partner in the hotel proved to be Benjamin S. Grayson, of 

3 



34 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



my native town, Beaufort. He was a brother of Capt. Thos. W. 
Grayson. We had not seen each other since our boyhood, and 
our pleasure was mutual upon meeting after so long a time in 
such a far away country. 

After taking tea, Walter C. White and R. J. Clow, known 
to old Texans as Bob Clow, both of them prominent merchants 
and recognized as first-class gentlemen, together with Mr. Shreve, 
proposed that we should have a social evening in playing twenty- 
deck poker. I told them I had never seen the game played and 
knew nothing of it; that I really had never heard of such a 
game. They explained it, assuring me that the game was very 
simple and interesting; only twenty of the deck was used, and 
that if I knew the cards I would, in playing a few hands, become 
familiar with it; that the ante was very small, and they did not 
bet very high. I said, "Well, I have come to be a Texan, and I 
suppose I must be taught all the Texas ways, and the sooner I 
begin the better." The game was commenced at once. Very 
soon the plays were familiar, and occasionally Clow, who, by the 
way, was a fine conversationalist and a noted humorist, would re- 
mark, "Lubbock, you play the game remarkably well for the 
first time." "Lubbock, did I understand you to say that you 
never saw poker played before?" All of which I took in good 
part, playing with great earnestness, and as I supposed very care- 
fully. About midnight it was proposed, very much to my de- 
light, that we would settle up and quit. My account was short 
some twenty dollars, which was immediately paid. Clow then 
said to me: "Lubbock, I like you; I have really taken a fancy 
to you, and I Mali volunteer a piece of advice — never play poker." 
"Why," said I, "you have told me several times during the even- 
ing that I played remarkably well and appeared to understand 
the game fully, and really, Mr. Clow, I like the game. It is 
amusing, interesting, exciting, and while I could not afl^ord to 
lose twenty dollars an evening, probably I would win next time." 

"I say, Lubbock, don't you play poker." "Well, Mr. Clow, why 
not? It seems to be fashionable with you merchants." "Well, I 
will tell you; you haven't a poker countenance." "What is that?" 
said I. "Well, when you have a good winning hand, it is dis- 
closed by your countenance. The consequence is that no one 
will bet against you; you are permitted to take the pot and win 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 35 



but little. Should you have a poor hand, your tell-tale counten- 
ance again displays your poverty in the hand, and should you 
attempt to bluff, you are simply called, your hand beaten, and so 
you win nothing. Take my advice, my dear boy, and play no 
more poker." From that day to this present hour I have never 
played a game of poker for money, although I have seen thou- 
sands won and lost at it by others; for, unfortunately, Texas 
gentlemen do like poker. It's a blessed thing to give good ad- 
vice. Peace to your ashes. Bob Clow! 

Apropos to the item of poker playing in Texas is the famous 
baccarat scandal trial in London that fills the papers this morn- 
ing, June 2, 1891, the same date of writing the above about cards 
in Texas fifty-five years ago. In the present case the court of 
the greatest nation in Europe, in the greatest city on earth, is 
investigating cheating in a social game between lords and ladies 
and the heir apparent of the realm. We are cultivated above 
that point. The heir apparent to our executive honors has to be 
better employed if he expects to be crowned, and if our ladies 
do indulge in a social game, they do not gamble. Would it not 
be as well, however, to look on that picture in London high life, 
and introduce some other amusement more elevating than card 
playing. 

A day or two after my arrival in Velasco, while in a billiard 
room, I witnessed a homicide. Captain Snell, commanding a 
company of regulars at the post, came in. He accosted Lieu- 
tenant Sproul as to his absence from the post. Hot words en- 
sued, and the lieutenant was shot down by his captain and 
killed. Snell was exonerated, as Sproul probably attempted 
to draw his sword. He afterward had several unfortunate diffi- 
culties, and was himself many years afterward killed in Hemp- 
stead. He was a member of my brother Tom Lubbock's com- 
pany, the New Orleans Grays, and proved himself a brave sol- 
dier. 

The government of the Eepublic had been organized at Co- 
lumbia on the Brazos, and on October 23, 1836, Gen. Sam Hous- 
ton, the hero of San Jacinto, was inaugurated as the first con- 
stitutional president. Thus the Brazos valley held the govern- 
mental honors and advantages, while the country eastward and 
westward boasted of the battlefields of the Eevolution, 



36 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Congress was then in session, and I hastened with my goods up 
the river by steainboat to the capital, bearing the same honored 
name as the capital of my native South Carolina. Leaving the 
river at Bell's Landing, where we were all put ashore, I found the 
town of Columbia about two miles westward on the edge of a 
prairie dotted with live oaks. The Congress was occupying two 
frame houses — the larger one, with partition removed, for the 
Eepresentative chamber, and the smaller one for the Senate 
(then having only fourteen members), the shed rooms being 
used for committees. 

The circumstances were favorable, the little town being filled 
with people, so very promptly my goods were all sold at a fine 
profit, leaving me a few days to look about me. All the while 
no shelter could be obtained. I took my meals with Fitchett & 
Gill, the tavern-keepers, sleeping under a liveoak tree at night. 
This was the lodging place of many. 

The town presented a wild and romantic appearance to me, 
just landed from New Orleans, a large and gay city. There was 
something in it new and attractive, the fine old liveoaks, other 
majestic trees of the forest, the woods near the town filled with 
bear, Mexican lions, deer, turkey, and game of every kind. 

It made my thoughts fly quick and fast when my mind took 
in the facts: This is the capital of a republic, with the heads of 
departments, the Congress in session, and hosts of people in the 
town — President, judges, representatives, senators, captains, col- 
onels, generals, men of mark, men that would attract attention 
and respect in any country. Of great intelligence, pluck, and 
patriotism, they came here to seek homes for themselves in a 
wilderness. They determined to stay; they were not to be turned 
back by the hardships of a frontier life, the fear of the savage 
Indians, or the dread of Mexican invasion. They surmounted 
every difficulty in their path. They fought the fight with the 
redman of the prairie, and raising the Lone Star flag confronted 
the Napoleon of the West, Avresting from his tyranny the grand- 
est territory of this continent. 

Here were Sam Houston, M. B. Lamar, Henry Smith, S. F. 
Austin, James Collinsworth, E. M. Pease, W. H. Jack, P. C. Jack, 
W. H. Wharton, John A. Wharton, x\nson Jones, Edward Bur- 



/AIBBOCfCS MEMOIRS. 37 



leson, Mosely Baker, David G. Burnet, Stephen H. Everett, Jesse 
Grimes, Sterling C. Eobertson, A. C. Horton, Alexander Somer- 
vell, Eichard Ellis, James S. Lester, Richard Scurry, Thos. 
J. Eusk, John W. Bunton, Jesse Billingsley, Ira Ingraham, Al- 
bert Sidney Johnston, and others. These men were unlike in 
character, and differing with each other about measures, even be- 
fore the smoke of the great conflict had cleared away; and being 
men of strong wills, their differences often had the characteris- 
tics of downright animosities. A great deal was told about how 
they disagreed, and how this one and that one "went it independ- 
ent," even at the time the little Texas army of eight hundred 
men confronted the Mexicans under their famous leader Santa 
Anna. All the same they whipped the fight. "Eemember the 
Alamo!" "Eemember Goliad!" stirred every heart and nerved 
every arm. The absorbing idea was victory. Victory was theirs. 
All honor to the patriot warriors of 1836! 

San Jacinto won, an arduous task was before them, and these 
men in the first Congress addressed themselves with great ability 
and enthusiasm to the task of solving the problem presented to 
their consideration. A government was to be reared amid dif- 
ficulties on all sides. As yet they were not recognized among the 
nations of the earth. They had no revenue and no credit; the 
Mexicans were still their enemies; the Indians were within their 
borders: the little army was unpaid, poorly fed, and in need of 
clothing, and impatient at inactivity. Some argued that they 
should make a forward move against Mexico, while others. Presi- 
dent Houston of that number, believed in resting on the victory 
already gained. 

There were dissensions about Santa Anna, who was under a 
guard of twenty men about twelve miles from the capital. What 
was to be done with him was a great question, until Sam Hous- 
ton cut the Gordian knot about this time. Some of the cabinet 
and many of the officers of the army believed that he had for- 
feited his life by the outrages perpetrated at the Alamo and at 
Goliad. Others, with President Houston as their leader, in- 
sisted that he should be treated as a prisoner of war. President 
Houston commissioned three well known brave and true men, 
his own selection — Col. B. E. Bee, Colonel Patton, and G. W. 



38 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Hockley — who in a quiet manner accompanied him overland to 

the Mississippi, thence up the river and across the country to 
Washington City, D. C. 

Stephen F. Austin, then Secretary of State, the leader of the 
colony that had taken possession of this beautiful Brazos coun- 
try lay dying at Geo. B. McKinstry's, in the town. He had toiled 




STEPHEN F. AUSTIN. 



long and well for his people, and just as they had begun to taste 
the cup of happiness, they must lose his counsel in the State. 

Then in the army who should and who should not be com- 
mander-in-chief, now that Houston was elected President, was 
another very much discussed question. Eusk was left in charge 
at first after Houston. When he wished to resign, Lamar was 
appointed to take the place, but declined on account of opposi- 
tion on the part of the soldiers, and Eusk remained in command. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 39 



Afterward Felix Huston was commander-in-chief for a time, 
when Albert Sidney Johnston came on tlie scene and was ap- 
pointed to take command. Then followed that remarkable his- 
torical duel that left Johnston a badly crippled up man for some 
time.^ 

On many points there was great divergence of opinion; but 
bound together by a common interest, having the same hopes 
and the same fears, when the public good called them to duty 
the grand men of the early days of Texas were never found 
wanting. In no other way could the glorious new-born Repub- 
lic have grown in strength and dignity amid the perils that beset 
her from first to last. I made the acquaintance of some of these 
men then, and a few months later most of them became my 
friends. 

The strong, massive characters of the people, and the apparent 
grandness of the country, impressed me greatly. So thoroughly 
was I persuaded of the bright prospect ahead for those who 
would settle promptly, that I at once made up my mind that if 
my young city wife would give up New Orleans and follow me, 
Texas would be our home. 

My stay in Texas was short, but I had found my country. 
Judge Ben C. Franklin had already administered to me the oath 
of allegiance to the young Eepublic; and as I was eager to begin 
life as a Texan, I hastened back to my wife to jointly perfect our 
plans. 

I took passage for New Orleans on the schooner Julius Caesar, 
arriving at that port on November 28th, after a little more than 
a Hxonth's absence. One of my fellow passengers, whose ac- 

2 "War Department, 
"Columbia, February 7, 1837. 
"Dr. A. Ewing, Surgeon General: 

"Sir — -I am requested to instruct you to repair forthwith to the 
headquarters of the army, there to consult with the faculty on the case 
of Gen. A. Sidney Johnston, who has been badly wounded by a pistol 
shot. 

"You will report while at the army the names of all surgeons em- 
ployed there; also a minute account of the situation of the medical de- 
partment, so that all deficiencies may be remedied. 

"William S. Fisher, 

"Secretary of War." 



40 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



quaintance I then made, was the Hon. Wm. H. Wharton,* min- 
ister to the United States, en route for Washington. With him 
was his son, John A., then a bright ten-year-old lad. A quarter 
of a century afterwards or more I will have occasion in my nar- 
rative to notice the grown-up boy. 



^Whar ton's instructions, made out by the first Texan Secretary of 
State, Stephen F. Austin, emphasized two vital points: 1. The recog- 
nition of the independence of Texas. 2. The annexation of Texas to 
the United States. Recognition was to be pressed first. The Congress 
had not then taken any action on our western boundary. Austin, in 
his instructions, named the Rio Grande, but if that hindered recogni- 
tion, Texas would recede to a point on the gulf half way between the 
mouth of the Rio Grande and Corpus Christi Bay, and thence on the 
dividing ridge between the Nueces and Rio Grande north to the Pecos 
fifty miles above its confluence with the Rio Grande, and up the Pecos 
to its main source, and thence due north to the forty-second parallel. 

Minister Wharton, under date of New Orleans, December 2d, thus 
writes the Secretary of State: "I believe I told you at Washington 
that after my protest to General Jackson against the sale of Texas by 
Mexico, which was at first supposed to be the business of Gorostiza (the 
Mexican Minister at Washington), I had a long and as I conceived demi- 
official conversation with Donelson (the President's private secretary), 
in which he stated that if the United States chose to give Mexico a few 
millions for a quitclaim of Texas by way of hush money, leaving to 
Texas the arrangement of the terms of annexation, that Texas ought 
not through pride object to it. I answered him then, as I will again 
unless otherwise instructed, that the treaty between Texas and the 
United States must precede the hush money to Mexico; that after Texas 
was annexed the United States might give what she pleased, and that 
Texas for her part would never give Mexico anything but lead in pur- 
chase of peace and independence." — Ed. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 41 



CHAPTER THREE. 

Removal to Texas— Settlement in the New Town of Houston— Opening 
of Congress— The Telegraph Newspaper— Indian Pow-wows — Vari- 
ous Incidents— San Jacinto Ball at the Capitol— Celebration at Lib- 
erty—Lost and Benighted on the Prairie— First Purchase of Wild 
Land— Assistant Clerkship in the House of Representatives— Join- 
ing the Masons— Currency Meeting— Appointed Comptroller by 
President Houston — The Philosophical Society. 

It was not long before my Creole wife decided with me for 
Texas. A few days before Christmas we accordingly embarked 
on the schooner Corolla, bound for Quintana, which port we 
reached in good time after a stormy voyage. 

There were twenty-five or thirty passengers, including John 
W. Dancy, afterwards a prominent figure in Texas politics. He 
made his appearance on the schooner booted and spurred. After 
passing out the mouth of the Mississippi, the swell of the open 
sea, though not rough, made Dancy deathly sick, and he lay about 
the cabin and on the deck covered with freight, mostly barrels, 
in perfect abandon. The sailors passing fore and aft on duty 
were compelled to step over him so frequently that one of them 
became fretted and said to him, "Get out of the way, or I'll 
throw you overboard," to which Dancy only replied, "I wish you 
would." He doubtless felt it would be a relief, for he was so 
sick that he never took off his spurs. As he had come aboard 
booted and spurred, so he landed at Quintana, ready to mount 
a pony for the interior. 

As on my first entrance into Texas, I brought with me for 
sale a stock of goods, staple groceries, flour, sugar, coffee, bacon, 
and other things. I hastened matters, for the reason that on 
the first of January, 1837, the duties were to be increased on all 
importations into Texas. Others, of course, were moved by the 
same cause, and there was great activity in this business. I suc- 
ceeded in getting a vessel promptly, and entered the Brazos 
among the foremost. 

Our vessel had scarcely been made fast upon our arrival at 
Velasco before an officer, who proved to be MaJ. Isaac N. More- 
land, the commandant of the post, came on board. He desired 



42 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



to know what cargo there was on the schooner. Learning from 
the captain that there were one hundred barrels of flour on 
board, he at once said, "I must have it for the army. To whom is 
it consigned ?" The captain informed him that the owner was on 
the vessel, called me, and introduced me as the owner of the 
flour. Major Moreland then said, "The troops are suffering, and 
I must have the flour on government account. What is the 
price?" I told him that the flour had cost very high in conse- 
quence of the upper rivers being closed with ice when I pur- 
chased, and to make anything I must have $18 per barrel in gold. 
He assented to the price, but remarked, "You will have to take 
government receipts." I then explained my condition, that it 
would ruin me flnancially if I did not receive the money for the 
flour; that it was purchased on very short time, and I would not 
be able to meet the obligation. I then said: "There will be 
several vessels arriving in a few days, all with flour on board. I 
will give you ten barrels of my flour. That will run you until 
other arrivals, when you can draw additional supplies from them, 
making it equal on us all. We compromised on that. I turned 
over to him ten barrels at $30 per barrel, taking government 
certificates. These were paid to me some fifteen years afterward, 
ujDon the sale of the Santa Fe territory to the United States. 
Thus one part of my merchandise was put out on long time 
without any interest, at the period when I needed it most; but 
that was in common with many other citizens, and we all sub- 
mitted cheerfully. Besides this, another circumstance affected 
my mercantile prospects. Congress, before adjourning, had ex- 
tended the time for the importation of goods under the tariff 
already existing. The result of this was to glut the market, 
particularly with the necessaries of life. Thus I did not sell 
out so rapidly. Probably this was the means of moving me from 
the Brazos to a new place and changing my whole life, as I did 
not make such a financial success in mechandising as to fasten 
me to it. 

A few days after landing, the schooner Mexicana was captured 
by the Texas privateer Tom Toby. She fortunately had quite a 
large lot of Mexican sack flour, as well as other valuable army 
supplies on board. She was taken in charge by Capt. R. J. Cal- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 43 



der, the sheriff at that time of a large adjacent territory. He 
employed me to assist him in the sale of the captured cargo. 

This was my f]rst labor for the government of Texas, soon 
after I had come to make my home in Texas, in December, 1836. 

Velasco was then the prospective seaport and commercial em- 
porium of the young republic that was cradled in the rich valley 
of the Brazos, and now again after half a century she lifts her 
head with buoyant hope of success. 

This work at Velasco accomplished, to make my wife com- 
fortable, we went up to Brazoria and boarded with Mrs. Jane 
Long, the widow of Gen. Jas. Long. He invaded Texas with 
about 300 men, taking Nacogdoches in 1819, but after a series 
of misfortunes was captured at Goliad in 1821 and taken off to 
Mexico. His faithful wife, left at Bolivar Point, near Galveston 
Island, and deserted by all but a servant girl, remained at her 
post during the succeeding winter, vainly expecting the return 
of General Long, who was murdered in the City of Mexico. To 
keep off the Karanchua Indians, Mrs. Long herself frequently 
fired off the cannon at the fort. She was rescued the next year 
by some of Austin's colonists. Mrs. Long's career had in it a 
touch of romance very rare even in the Southwest. She was a 
sensible, strong-minded woman, and she highly entertained us 
with the recital of her thrilling adventures. 

We made some distinguished acquaintances at Mrs. Long's — 
among others. Judge Ben C. Franklin and General Lamar, then 
Vice-President of the Republic, in the prime of life and the halo 
of his glory won at San Jacinto. He was a man of the French 
type, five feet seven or eight inches high, with dark complexion, 
black, long hair, inclined to curl, and gray eyes. Lamar was 
peculiar in his dress; wore his clothes very loose, his pants being 
of that old style, very baggy, and with large pleats, looking odd, 
as he was the only person I ever saw in Texas in that style of 
dress. I found the Vice-President rather reserved in conversa- 
tion; it was said, however, that he was quite companionable vidth 
his intimate friends. He had proved his soldiership at San Ja- 
cinto — he was now trying the role of statesman. One of the 
guests at Mrs. Long's was telling a fishy story, with extra embel- 
lishments, when Lamar dryly remarked: "I have known men 



44 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



to add a little fiction to their stories to make them interesting, 
but this fellow lies without metes, bounds, or landmarks." * 

Judge Franklin, also a soldier of San Jacinto, as I under- 
stand, presided over the first court held under the judicial sys- 
tem of American Texas. Judge Franklin was about six feet 
high, well proportioned, with fair complexion and dark hair, 
a good lawyer, affable and courteous in manners. 

Shortly after this, coming from Quintana to Brazoria on 
horseback, I was belated, got lost, and had to spend the night in 
the Brazos bottom. The darkness was made hideous by the yelp- 
ing of wolves, the cries of the Mexican panther, and the never 
ending hum of mosquitos. Being green from the States, I almost 
despaired of life, while anxiously waiting the issue. The wel- 
come morning brought me deliverance, but on my arrival at the 
boarding house my face appeared so disfigured by mosquito bites 
that my wife scarcely recognized me. This horrible night's ex- 
perience in the Brazos bottom six decades ago is still distinct 
in my memory. 

About the last of December, 1836, I met the brothers A. C. 

*" Through the period of a long life the ex- Vice President, Governor 
Lorenzo de Zavala, has been the unswerving and consistent friend of 
liberal principles and free government. Among the first movers of the 
Revolution in his native country, he has never departed from the pure 
and sound principles upon which it was originally founded. This steady 
and unyielding devotion to the holy cause of liberty has been amply re- 
warded by the high confidence of the virtuous portion of two republics. 
The gentleman, the scholar, and the patriot, he goes into retirement 
with the undivided affections of his fellow citizens; and I know, gentle- 
men, that I only express your own feelings when I say that it is the 
wish of every member of this assembly that the evening of his days may 
be as tranquil and happy as the meridian of his life has been useful and 
honorable." — Extracts from Lamar's inaugural address. 

He had poetical and literary taste, and if he wished to say a thing 
he could do it admirably well. 

Just before this time, November 15, 1856, his predecessor in office, 
Lorenzo de Zavala, passed away at his home on Bufi'alo Bayou, near 
Lynchburg. I regret that I had not the opportunity of knowing this 
great and good man. Subsequently I became well acquainted with and 
frequently visited his elegant family at their old homestead. His death 
occurred in less than one month after Vice President Lamar's compli- 
mentary remarks. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 45 



and J. K. Allen, whose acquaintance I had made before at Co- 
lumbia. These thorough-going business men had tried to pur- 
chase the site of old Harrisburg for the purpose of founding a 
town, but failing in this they bought the Parott league, a few 
miles above, on Buffalo Bayou. On this league, at the head of 
navigation, they had laid out the new town of Houston, named in 
honor of the President of the Republic. By their enterprise and 
influence they had succeeded in getting the seat of government 
removed to that place, to remain until 1840. 

These brothers (A. C. and J. K.) had been in Texas three or 
four years, and three other brothers arrived in Houston soon 
after its location — all of them good and prominent citizens. 

J. K. Allen was a very bright, quick man, with much magic 
about him, and well calculated to enthuse the young. A. C. was 
more taciturn and settled; he was a married man, with his fam^ 
ily then in Nacogdoches. The former died very soon after locat^ 
ing the place; the latter lived many years thereafter. 

The Aliens encouraged me to go with them, taking the goods 
still on hand to open a house in the town of Houston. We took 
a small steamer called the Laura, owned by McKinney & Wil- 
liams. It was commanded by Captain West, a boy chum of mine, 
and son of Dr. West, of Beaufort, S. C. Among her passengers 
were J. K. Allen, one of the proprietors of the new town, Gen. 
Mcsely Baker, and Judge Benjamin C. Franklin, both distin- 
guished lawyers of this section, the former the captain of a com- 
pany at San Jacinto. We made a safe run into Galveston Bay, 
where we lay aground several days, and thence up the bay and 
Buffalo Bayou, arriving at Harrisburg without difficulty. The 
navigation after entering the bayou was good, with plenty of 
water and breadth, until we reached this place. 

Here we were cordially welcomed by the people of the village, 
among them the Birdsalls, Wilsons, Richardsons, and Harrises. 
The town was called Harrisburg, as was also the county, after the 
last named family. Subsequently the name of the county was 
changed to Harris by law. My friend, Mrs. Andrew Briscoe, now 
living in Houston, is a daughter of Mr. John R. Harris of this 
place. She is now the widow of Capt. Andrew Briscoe, who com- 
manded a company of regulars at the battle of San Jacinto. He 
was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Sub- 



46 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



sequently I had the pleasure of having him for a friend and 
neighbor for many years. jNTo boat had ever been above this 
place, and we were three days making the distance to Houston, 
only six miles by the dirt road, but twelve by the bayou. The 
slow time was in consequence of the obstructions we were com- 
pelled to remove as we progressed. We had to rig what were 
called Spanish windlasses on the shore to heave the logs and 
snags out of our way, the passengers all working faithfully. All 
hands on board would get out on the shore, and cutting down a 
tree would make of it a windlass by boring holes in it and placing 
it upon a support and throwing a bight of rope around it, secure 
one end to a tree in the rear and the other to the snags or fallen 
trees in the water. Then by means of the capstan bars we would 
turn the improvised capstan on land, and draw from the track 
of our steamer the obstructions. Capitalist, dignified judge, mili- 
tary heroes, young merchant in fine clothes from the dressiest 
city in the United States, all lent a helping hand. It being 
necessary to lie by at night, in the evenings we had a good time 
dancing and frolicking with the settlers on the shore, who were 
delighted to see "newcomers from the States." 

Just before reaching our destination a party of us, becoming 
weary of the steamer, took a yawl and concluded we would hunt 
for the city. So little evidence could we see of a landing that 
we passed by the site and run into White Oak Bayou, only realiz- 
ing that we must have passed the city when we struck in the 
brush. We then backed down the bayou, and by close observation 
discovered a road or street laid oft' from the water's edge. Upon 
landing we found stakes and footprints, indicating that we were 
in the town tract. 

This was about the first of January, 1837, when I discovered 
Houston. For though I did not accompany Columbus when he 
discovered America, as is asserted, I certainly was in at the dis- 
covery of Houston, the Laura being the first steamer that ever 
reached her landing. Wharves were not in Texas. 

A few tents were located not far away; one large one was used 
as a saloon. Several small houses were in the course of erec- 
tion. Logs were being hauled in from the forest for a hotel to 
be erected (where the Hutchins House now stands) by Col. Ben- 
jamin Fort Smith, who was the inspector-general at the battle 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS, 47 



of Sau Jacinto. A small number of workmen were preparing 
to build cabins, business houses, and this hotel. We boarded on 
the steamer for several days, and in the meantime hastened busi- 
ness upon the shore. 

Immediately I made a contract with the agent of the Aliens, 
J. S. Holman, to have put up for me a small clapboard house on 
a lot that I had purchased from the town company, paying $250 
for the lot and $350 for the house. This was built of three-foot 
pine* boards and covered with three-foot boards, and contained 
all told one room about twelve feet square and a smaller shed 
room. There was one door leading into the main room and one 
door from that room into the shed room, both of three-foot 
boards, with all hinges and fastenings made of wood. There was 
no window in the house. When air and light were wanted, a 
board was knocked off. A few rough boards were laid down for 
the floor, not extending under the bed. This, I believe, is the 
house Judge D. T. Tyler built for me. All lumber used at that 
time in building was sawed by hand and cost $150 per 1000 
feet. The bedstead put up in the corner was made by driving 
forked sticks into the ground and laying poles across with clap- 
boards for slats to support the moss mattress. 

Henry Allen, one of the proprietors of the town, had a small 
log house, and I contracted with him to take care of my goods 
till I should go back to the Brazos for my wife and my mer- 
chandise. 

I went by steamboat for my wife and goods on the Brazos. 
We returned the same way and reached our clapboard shanty 
without accident in good time. I also contracted for and had 
built a large wooden structure as a storehouse, costing nearly 
$6000. My friend, Bobert P. Boyce, was the builder. He proved 
to be a substantial, worthy, enterprising citizen, and was well 
known to all the old veterans, as he was one of them. 

In our two-roomed mansion we lived, sleeping for many 
months on our thin moss mattress, until we could get our fur- 
niture from New Orleans. Brother Tom also came to live with 
us. We were young and happy, and although accustomed to 
every comfort and some luxuries, we took cheerfully every in- 
convenience and hardship, looking with hope to the great future 
of Texas. And I can say that neither of us ever regretted the 



48 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



move in our youthful days from the great Southern mart, New 
Orleans. 

About this time I sold the first tlour sold by the barrel, and 
the first entire sack of coffee sold in Houston, the flour at $30 
per barrel and the coffee at 25 cents per pound, gold. 

Harrisburg County, created by the General Council at San 
Felipe, had just been fully organized. Captain Andrew Briscoe, 
elected chief justice by the first Congress, proceeded under the 
law to hold elections for precinct and county officers, with these 
results: Sheriff, John W. Moore; coroner, Wm. Little; clerk 
district court, Jas. S. Holman; clerk county court, Dewitt Clin- 
ton Harris. 

So there was nothing lacking now in the way of good civil 
government. 

Captain Briscoe rather distrusted his own abilities, as appears 
from one of his letters dated Harrisburg, January 9, 1837, to 
General Eusk, then Secretary of State. I give the following 
extract from this letter in the office of the Secretary of State: 
"You must be aware that none but lawyers can pretend to do 
law business correctly. It is extremely awkward to undertake a 
kind of business of which one is entirely ignorant of the rules 
and form of proceedings. I believe I am a good soldier; but I 
shall make a very indifferent probate judge or notary public." 
The people, however, differed with the captain in this matter, 
and the veteran of San Jacinto was recognized as a most intelli- 
gent and efficient civil officer. 

The different governmental bodies of Texas, as the Consulta- 
tion, the Provisional Government, and the Government ad in- 
terim, had met at various points in small frame buildings or 
shanties, and when the first Congress of the Constitutional Gov- 
ernment assembled at Columbia, each house had to occupy a 
small frame building. I will right here name all the capitals 
that American Texas ever had up to this time: San Felipe de 
Austin, Washington, Harrisburg, Galveston, Velasco, Colum- 
bia, and lastly Houston. 

The archives had already been brought over from Columbia, 
and many of the prominent officials, including President Hous- 
ton, had arrived at the new seat of government. 

The Aliens had undertaken to provide a capitol building at 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



49 



Houston, but fearing they might not have it ready for the meet- 
ing of Congress on the 1st of May, erected on Main Street a 
one-story building covering the front of an entire block. At one 
corner of the block a large room was constructed for the Senate, 
and on the other corner a larger one for the House of Eepre- 
sentatives, and the space between partitioned oif into rooms for 
the department offices. Col. Thos. W. Ward was the capitol con- 
tractor under the Aliens. The work was not begun till the 16th 




CAPITOL OF THE REPUBLIC, 1837-39. 



of April, but it was pushed with such energy that the capitol, 
though not finished, was far enough advanced to accommodate 
Congress and the heads of departments. Accordingly, on May 
l.?t, the adjourned session of the First Congress met in the re- 
spective chambers, "fitted up and furnished for business." 

Next after organization of the two houses came the imposing 
ceremonies attendant upon the delivery of the President's mes- 
sage. 

At 12 m. (May 5, 1837) his excellency the President entered 
the hall of the representatives accompanied by the heads of the 
several departments and other officers of the Government, and 
also by Joseph Tucker Crawford, Esq., his Britannic Majestjr's 



50 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



consul at Tampico, now commissioned to this Republic, all 
preceded by a joint committee of the Senate and House of Repre- 
sentatives. 

"The President was received by the members of the two houses 
standing, with heads uncovered, and conducted to a seat be- 
tween the president pro tem. of the Senate and the speaker of 
the House. 

The heads of the departments, the British commissioner, and 
the other attendants of his excellency were accommodated with 
seats on the right and on the left of the speaker's chair. 

"The members having resumed their seats, after a short pause 
his excellency rose and read his message." (See House Journal, 
p. 9.) 

Among the matters noted by the President was the recent 
recognition of Texan independence by the United States and the 
improved prospects of the Republic thereby; the unsatisfactory 
state of the finances; his dissatisfaction at the land law; the in- 
formation that a delegation consisting of twenty northern In- 
dians on the borders of the United States had visited Matamoros 
and stipulated with the Mexican authorities to furnish that gov- 
ernment 3000 warriors, well armed, as soon as it would invade 
Texas; the favorable state of the army, which reflects credit upon 
its general [Albert Sidney Johnston];, the effort being made to 
procure a navy; the iniquity of the African slave trade; and 
finally, as if to impress the British commissioners favorably, he 
gave a striking resume of the resources of Texas and her increas- 
ing ability to maintain her independence against all the power 
of Mexico. 

About this time Messrs. Borden and Moore brought over their 
newspaper, the famous Telegraph, to Houston. The first issue 
gives this racy account of their troubles in moving and setting 
up again: 

"We left Columbia on the Ifith ultimo (April, 1837), on the 
•steamer Yellowstone, expecting that we should be enabled to 
issue this number of the Telegraph in the course of the same 
week, but disappointment and delay have met us at every turn. 
At Velasco we were detained a week on account of the surf on 
the bar; the tide left us fast aground one day at Clopper's bar, 
and prevented us from reaching Ijynchburg until the evening of 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 51 



the 26th, and a great part of the ensuing day was spent in 
groping (if a steamboat can grope) at the rapid rate of one or 
two miles an hour to the very crown of the 'head of navigation' 
on Bufl'alo Bayou at the city of Houston. 

"On landing we determined to take time by the forelock, and 
immediately proceeded in search of the 'nearly finished building 
intended for our press.' Our search was fruitless; like others 
who have confided in speculative things, we have been deceived. 
No building had ever been nearly finished at Houston intended 
for the press. Fortunately, however, we have succeeded in rent- 
ing a shanty which, although like the capitol in this placSj 

'Without a roof and without a floor, 
Without windows and without a door.' 

is the only convenient building obtainable. We have therefore 
been compelled to engage it during this session of Congress. 

"N. B. — Our troubles have not yet ended. The shanty is fall- 
ing about our ears, two massive beams have dropped down upon 
the stands, made a most disgusting in, and have driven the work- 
men to seek safety outside. The devil alone looks smiling at the 
mischief." 

Among the early entertainments of the new town was a visit 
of wild Indians to have with President Houston a "big talk." We 
give it as told by a correspondent of the Philadelphia Morning 
Chronicle of that date: 

"Early in May.. 1837, a day or two after the opening of the 
Congress at the city of Houston, several tribes of Indians being 
encamped in the splendid forest which covers the undulating 
ground on the opposite side of Buffalo Bayou where the city is 
situated, a 'big talk' was arranged with the President Gen. Sam 
Houston, and the cabinet of Texas, at which Mr. Crawford was 
invited to be present. 

"The "^talk' was held in the White House of Texas, General 
Houston's residence, then a log cabin consisting of a passage or 
hall open at both ends, and a room of very moderate dimensions 
on each side. 

"On the anniversary of the battle of San Jacinto (21st of 
April) a lofty flagstaff had been erected on Main Street, and on 



52 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



this occasion a splendid silk flag of the new Republic was for the 
first time displayed from it. Around this flag several hundreds 
ol Indians and squaws danced a grand war dance. . . . They 
began nioving around the center like so many radii, as is done 
in the flower dance when represented on the stage, accompanying 
the movement in a dull and monotonous sort of music of their 
own voices, which became quicker and quicker till they got into 
a very rapid motion with occasional shouts and yells, and then all 
at once stopped and suddenly dispersed. 

"After this, the chiefs adjourned to the 'talk.' These con- 
sisted of some six elderly and very sedate, grave gentlemen, who 
were seated around a table and communicated through an in- 
terpreter. The latter appeared a very intelligent, middle-aged 
man, and seemed to possess the implicit confidence of the chiefs." 

"General Houston acquitted himself with his usual tact on 
such occasions, and aroused a real enthusiasm by his 'talk' to the 
redmen. But nothing can be done towards treating with In- 
dians without presents, so next comes that most impoi Lant part 
of the whole ceremony. 

"In the afternoon the presents were delivered and instant dis- 
tribution began, each carrying away his respective share. To- 
bacco seemed of all the articles they received to be the most es- 
teemed. Drunkenness then began, and at last General Houston 
had to send around to the liquor stores to request that no more 
whisky should be sold, which had the effect of inducing them 
quietly to retire to their camp, but the woods rang nearly all 
night with their yells." 

These Indians, when out of sight, forgot all their fine talk 
with General Houston, and on their way back to their country 
killed and scalped several whites. 

Among the notables at Houston on the opening of Congress 
were Alcee La Branche, the United States charge d'affaires, and 
R. J. Walker of Mississippi, the first mover of Texas independ- 
ence in the United States Senate. 

The ornithologist, J. J. Audubon, gives the following interest- 
ing account of his visit to President Houston in his diary. May 
4, 1837: 

"We walked towards the President's house accompanied by the 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 53 



Secretary of the Navy, and as soon as we rose above the bank we 
saw before us a level of far-extending prairie destitute of timber, 
and rather poor soil. Houses half finished and most of them 
without roofs, tents and Liberty pole, with the capitol, were all 
exhibited to our view at once. We approached the President's 
mansion, however, wading in water above our ankles. This abode 
of President Houston is a small log house consisting of two 
rooms and a passage through, after the Southern fashion. The 
moment we stepped over the threshold on the right hand of the 
passage we found ourselves ushered into what in other countries 
would be called the antechamber. The ground floor, however, 
was muddy and filthy; a large fire was burning, and a small 
table covered with paper and writing material was in the center; 
campbeds, trunks, and different materials were strewed around 
the room. Here we were presented to Mr. Crawford, an agent of 
the British minister to Mexico, who has come on a secret mission. 
The president was engaged in an opposite room on some national 
business and we could not see him for some time. Meanwhile, 
we amused ourselves by walking in the capitol, which was yet 
without a roof, and the floors, benches, and tables of both houses 
of Congress were as well saturated with water as our clothes had 
been in the morning. Being invited by one of the great men of 
the place to enter a booth to take a drink of grog with him, we 
did so; but I was rather surprised that he offered his name in- 
stead of the cash to the barkeeper. 

"We first caught sight of President Houston as he walked 
from one of the grogshops, where he had been to stop the sale 
of ardent spirits. He was on his way to his house, and wore a 
large gray coarse hat; and the bulk of his figure reminded me 
of the appearance of General Hopkins of Virginia; for, like him, 
he is upward of six feet high and strong in proportion. But I 
observed a scowl in the expression of his eyes that was forbidding 
and disagreeable. We reached his abode before him, but he soon 
came in and we were presented to his excellency. He was dressed 
in a fancy velvet coat and trousers trimmed with broad gold lace, 
and around his neck was tied a cravat somewhat in the style of 
'76. He received us kindly, was desirous of retaining us for 
awhile, and offered us every facility in his power. He at once 



64 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



removed us from the anteroom to his private chamber, which 
by the way was not much cleaner than the former. We were sev- 
erally introduced by him to the different members of his cabinet 
and staff, and at once asked to drink with them, which we did, 
wishing success to the new Eepublic. Our talk was short, but 
the impression which was made on our mind at the time by 
himself, his officers, and the place of his abode, can never be for- 
gotten." 

Houston having been made the seat of government, at once be- 
came the attractive point of all Texas. Water communication 
wa= good down Buffalo Bayou to Galveston, and vessels at once 
engaged in making regular trips to that city from New Orleans 
and other points, and many delivered their cargoes at the Hous- 
ton wharf. A large trade soon sprang up with the country by 
means of ox teams and the capital city soon became the com- 
mercial mart of the Republic. Capital began to flow to it, and 
industrious, enterprising men engaged in all occupations, giving 
the city a lively business air. 

Yet while it was eligibly located, having the advantage of good 
navigation and a very rich tributary country, it was a very 
muddy place, almost the entire town tract being black, stiff land, 
and with very poor drainage, so that, with the immense wagon 
trade, the roads and streets, although very wide and handsome, 
were almost impassable in wet weather. 

Then building material at an early day was scarce and high, 
owing much to the want of labor. There was no stone, and for 
a long time no brick was manufactured, though material in 
abundance for them was there and it is now largely utilized. 
Ijumber, so abundant nearby and running so many mills at 
piesent, was furnished then only by the whip-saw. An occasional 
cargo came in from abroad and was sold as high as $100 to $150 
per 1000 feet. Thus very few good houses were built the first 
few years. In fact the majority of the buildings for a long time 
were of logs, clapboards, and rough sawed boards, and the heat- 
ing done by stick and mud chimneys. Stoves at that time were 
very seldom if ever seen. 

The army was being furloughed in the winter of 1837 and 
1838, and finally disbanded. This brought a large number of 
soldiers to the city, consequently there was much dissipation. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 55 



gambling, and fighting. The city, however, was well officered 
and policed, and very little outlawry was permitted. Courts 
were organized and punishment was meted out promptly. 

An occurrence at an early day shows how Houston failed to 
get a carriage factory and lost at least one good immigrant. 
Charles Hedenberg, of the firm of Hedenberg & Vedder, com- 
mission merchants, had induced an uncle of his to come out 
from New Jersey with the view of establishing a carriage manu- 
factory. Arriving very early in the morning, his trunks were 
taken to the business house of Hedenberg & Vedder. About 10 
o'clock of that day Hedenberg suggested to his uncle that the 
Congress of the Eepublic was then in session, and that if he 
would go up to the capitol he might be entertained, and after a 
while they would go to the house. The Jersey man proceeded 
to the capitol after a short time, and while seated in the Senate 
chamber rapid firing took place in the hall of the building, which 
caused everyone to leave the chamber. Repairing to the hall 
to see what was going on, he (Hedenberg) witnessed the bearing 
off of Algernon Thompson, badly shot by one Brashear, both 
clerks in the senate. He probably had never shot a pistol or 
seen the effects of a shot before, and immediately left the build- 
ing, going down Main Street on the west side. After traveling 
very fast and walking several blocks, in passing the Round Tent 
Saloon a soldier who was shot by one Seevey nearly fell upon 
him. He at once with a double quick rushed across to the east 
side of the street, and just as he got over and directly in front 
of John Carlos' Saloon a party rushed out of the door, almost 
running against him, with his bowels protruding from an im- 
mense bowie knife wound inflicted by a discharged soldier. His 
steps were again quickened and he hastened to the store of his 
nephew nearby, out of breath, and gasped "Charley, have you 
sent my trunks to the house?" "No, uncle; not yet." "Well, 
do not send them. Get me a dray so I can at once take them to 
the boat that leaves for Galveston this afternoon." "Why, 
uncle, what do you mean? Why, you have seen nothing; have 
not had time to look at the town." "Charley, I have seen 
enough. I wish to return home immediately. I do not wish 
to see any more of Texas." Charley had been busy in the store 
and knew nothino; of the scenes that had been witnessed bv his 



56 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



New Jersey uncle and so was quite surprised at the causes lead- 
ing to the hasty return of his kinsman, who immediately took his 
h£.ggage to the boat, got in his stateroom, left Texas, and never 
returned. 

I arrived at the capitol before Thompson, who was severely 
but not fatally shot, was borne away; but I saw and heard noth- 
ing of the New Jersey man, to whom I had been introduced in 
the morning, until I returned to the store of Hedenberg & Ved- 
der. Charley was a great friend of mine and brother to Maggie 
Hedenberg, who was then at our house, where she remained un- 
til she married C. K. Hall, both lifelong friends of ours. So on 
their account I was more than usually interested in the new im- 
migrant, and though I have often laughed over it since that time, 
I sympathized deeply with him when Charley gave me a regret- 
ful and graphic description of his uncle's quick departure. 

Yet the courts of justice performed their duty sternly and 
with good results. To give an illustration of speedy punishment, 
one "Quick" killed a man with whom he was gambling, one 
"Jones'" killed "Mandrid Wood," a member of the celebrated 
New Orleans Grays, all of them soldiers. The grand jury was in 
session. They were indicted, tried, and convicted of murder in 
the first degree. I was foreman of the jury in one of the cases. 
The defendants were represented by able counsel, one of the 
counsel being Charles Watrous, a very able lawyer, quite dis- 
tinguished later on, and who died a federal judge. Motions 
were made and argued for new trials, and every effort made to 
delay the sentence of death. Judge J. W. Eobinson" overruled 
every motion made, although the defendants' attorneys asserted 
that if the men were hung they would be judicially murdered. 
They were brought into court for sentence. It had been rep- 
resented to the court that the jail was very insecure, the weather 
was cold, and the prisoners quite uncomfortable, particularly as 
they had to be kept ironed for security. So the judge pro- 
nounced sentence that the two men, "the prisoners, in conse- 
quence of the insecurity of tlie jail, the extreme cold weather, 
and their uncomfortable situation," be hung on the Friday fol- 

^ Lieutenant-Governor under the Provisional Government in 1835-36, 
and acting Governor on the deposition of Henry Smith. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 57 



lowing their conviction, which was done; and the spot where 
they were executed is called to this day "hangmen's grove." 

It must be borne in mind that at the time of these occur- 
rences the country was just emerging from a war that had been 
going on for a long while. Every man with but few exceptions 
had been in the army and bore arms, and the few civilians out- 
side of the military were in the habit of going armed; so that 
people were ready to resent insult and wrong without waiting 
for the slow process of the law, hence many personal difficulties 
occurred. 

It can be said, however, that in those times very few brutal 
murders or assassinations took place; generally when killings 
occurred they were caused from sudden difficulties and in hot 
blood. 

For the fact is, from the very first settlement of Houston we 
had good people, intelligent men, and elegant women — men and 
women of good breeding and fine culture. We had them from 
the different States and from foreign countries and with all the 
wildness and recklessness of a new country in her environs so- 
ciety was on a firm, fixed, and honest basis. We soon had a 
good legal bar, with proper courts, learned physicians, good 
preachers, and intelligent school teachers. 

Just one year from the battle of San Jacinto we had a grand 
San Jacinto ball, and it would have reflected credit on any one 
of the large cities of the United States on account of the great 
number attending, drawn for miles from the settled portions of 
the State, the many beautiful women present with their fine 
costumes and the many elegant looking young men handsomely 
dressed. And why not? for the most of them had not been in 
Texas long enough to wear out the finery they had brought with 
them "from the States," and if anything new was purchased it 
generally came from N^ew Orleans, the Paris of America. 

The following account is from the Ladies' Messenger. The ball 
came off in a large two-story building about finished on the spot 
now occupied by Mr. T. W. House's bank: 

"Chandeliers were suspended from the beams overhead, but 
they reseml)led the glittering ornament of to-day in naught save 
the use for which they were intended. Made of wood, with sock- 
ets to hold the sperm candles, and distributed at regular dis- 



58 LUBBOCK' 8 MEMOIRS. 



tances, each pendant comprised five or six lights, which shed a 
dim radiance, but alas, a liberal spattering of sperm upon the 
dancers beneath. The floor being twent}^ feet wide, by fifty feet 
in length, could easily accommodate several cotillions, and, al- 
though the citizens of Houston were very few, all the space was 
required for the large number who came from Brazoria, Colum- 
bia, San Felipe, Harrisburg, and all the adjacent country. La- 
dies and gentlemen came in parties on horseback distances of 
fifty and sixty miles, accompanied by men servants and ladies' 
maids, who had in charge the elegant ball costumes for the im- 
portant occasion. From Harrisburg they came in large row 
boats, that mode of conveyance being preferable to a horseback 
ride through the thick undergrowth, for at that time there was 
nothing more than a bridle path to guide the traveler between 
the two places. 

"Gen. Moseley Baker, one of Houston's first citizens, was liv- 
ing with his wife and child (now Mrs. Fannie Darden) in a small 
house built of clapboards; the house comprised one large room 
designed to serve as parlor, bedroom, and dining-room, and a 
small shedroom at the back. The floor, or rather the lack of 
floor in the large apartment, was concealed by a carpet, which 
gave an air of comfort contrasting strongly with the surround- 
ings. 

"As the time for going to the ball drew near, which was as 
soon as convenient after dark, several persons assembled at Gen- 
eral Baker's for the purpose of going together. These were 
General Houston, Frank R. Lubbock (since Governor and now 
State Treasurer) and his wife, John Birdsall (soon after At- 
torney-General), and Mary Jane Harris (the surviving widow of 
Andrew Briscoe). General Houston was Mrs. Baker's escort. 
General Baker having gone to see that some lady friends were 
provided for. When this party approached the ball room, where 
dancing had already begun, the music, which was rendered by 
violin, bass viol and fife, immediately struck up "Hail to the 
Chief;" the dancers withdrew to each side of the hall, and the 
whole party, General Houston and Mrs. Baker leading, and 
maids bringing up the rear, marched to the upper end of the 
room. Having here laid aside wraps, and exchanged black slip- 
perr. for white ones, for there was no dressing room, they were 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 59 



ready to join in the dance, which was soon resumed. A new 
cctillion was formed by the party who had just entered, with 
the addition of another couple, whose names are not preserved, 
and l\lr. Jacoh Cruger took the place of Mr. Birdsall, who did 
not dance. General Houston and Mrs. Baker were partners, Mrs. 
Lubbock and Mr. George Cruger, and Mr. Lubbock and Miss 
Harris. Then were the solemn figures of the stately cotillion 
executed with care and precision, the grave balancing steps, the 
dos a dos, and others to test the nimbleness and grace of dan- 
cers. 

"General Houston had just returned from New Orleans, where 
he had been since the battle of San Jacinto for the purpose of 
having his wound treated. Being the President elect, he was 
of course the hero of the day, and his dress on this occasion was 
unique and somewhat striking. His ruffled shirt, scarlet eassi- 
mere waistcoat and suit of black silk velvet, corded with gold, 
was admirably adapted to set off his fine, tall figure; his boots, 
with short red tops, were laced and folded down in such a way 
as to reach but little above the ankles, and were finished at the 
heels with silver spurs. The spurs were, of course, quite a use- 
less adornment, but they were in those days so commonly worn 
as to seem almost a part of the boots. The weakness of General 
Houston's ankle, resulting from the wound, was his reason for 
substituting boots for the slippers then universally worn by 
gentlemen for dancing. 

"Mrs. Baker's dress of white satin, with black lace overdress, 
corresponded in elegance with that of her escort, and the dresses 
of most of the other ladies were likewise rich and tasteful. Some 
wore white mull, with satin trimmings; others were dressed in 
white and colored satins, but naturally in so large an assembly, 
gathered from many different places, there was great variety in 
the quality of costumes. All, however, wore their dresses short, 
cut low in the neck, sleeves generally short, and all wore orna- 
ments of flowers or feathers in their hair, some flowers of Mexi- 
can manufacture being particularly noticeable on account of 
their beauty and rarity. 

"At about midnight the signal for supper was given, and the 
dancers marched over to the hotel of Mr. Ben Fort Smith, which 



60 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



stood near the middle of the block now occupied by the Hutch- 
ins House. This building consisted of two very large rooms, 
built of pine poles, laid up like a log house, with a long shed 
extending the full length of the rooms. Under this shed, quite 
innocent of floor or carpet, the supper was spread; the tempting 
turkeys, venison, cakes, etc., displayed in rich profusion; the 
excellent coffee, and sparkling wines invited all to partake freely, 
and soon the witty toast and hearty laugh went around. 

"The menu card, with its enticing suggestions to pampered 
appetites was not needed, nor was the costly souvenir of latter 
day entertainments; most truly did 'good digestion wait upon 
appetite,' and memory stored away in her cupboard more 
ludicrous incidents and witty sayings than could be gathered to- 
gether from a score of elegant modern soirees. 

"Returning to the ball room, dancing was resumed with re- 
newed zest, and continued until the energy of the musicians be- 
gan to flag, and the prompter failed to call out the figures with 
his accustomed gusto; then the cotillion gave place to the time- 
honored Virginia reel, and by the time each couple had enjoyed 
the privilege of 'going down the middle,' daylight began to 
dawn, parting salutations were exchanged, and the throng of 
dancers separated, many of them never to meet again. 

"Ere long the memory of San Jacinto's first ball was laid 
away among the mementoes of the dead, which, being with- 
drawn from their obscurit}' only on each recurring anniversary, 
continue to retain their freshness even after fifty years have 
flown. 

"Of all the merry company who participated in that festival, 
only a few are known to be living at the present day. They are 
ex-Governor Lubbock, Capt. R. P. Boyce, Mrs. Wynns, Mrs. 
Mary J. Briscoe, and Mrs. Fannie Darden. 

"Texan." 

A celebration was held at Liberty of the battle of San Jacinto, 
April 21, 1837. The managers were: Messrs. Luke Bryan, John 
Booth, Hon. E. T. Branch, Dr. Wm. G. Lewis, K. Bryan, and 
F. Harden. 

The proceedings were as follows: At dawn of the 21st the 
citizens and soldiers of the place assembled and fired salutes 
which were heard for many miles around. At an early hour the 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 61 



town was full of life and gayety, and the presence of many ladies 
greatly added to the scene. The place of celebration was soon 
crowded, and an appropriate address was delivered by the orator, 
J. B. Woods, Esq. Immediately after the oration the ladies were 
conducted to a sumptuous dinner, and then retired to the house 
to prepare to "trip the light fantastic toe." Many of the victors 
of San Jacinto and other citizens, to the number of 200, took 
possession of a second repast, and after the cloth was removed 
William Harden, Esq., was conducted to the chair as president 
of the day, and Judge Coit as vice-president, and the following 
were the regular toasts drank: 

1. " The President of the Republic of Texas" (three cheers); tune, 
"March." 

2. " The Vice President of the Republic of Texas" (three cheers); 
tune, '• Welcome La Fayette." 

3. "The Day We Celebrate" (six cheers); tune, "Hail Columbia." 

4. "Texas — May her foes turn pale at her name, and may she flour- 
ish until time is no more;" tune, "It ofttimes has been told." 

5. "The Heroes of San Jacinto — Champions in the struggle for Lib- 
erty, they justly merit the gratitude of their country;" tune, "When 
wild war's deadly blast was blown." 

6. "To the memory of Travis" (drank in silence). 

7. "Army of Mexico — What a dust we flees kick up;" tune, "Spider 
and the fly. ' ' 

8. "Texas Navy — May she unfurl the banners of victory and ride tri- 
umphant on the ocean;" tune, "Lashed to the helm." 

9. "Star of Texas — A beacon light to the path of liberty;" tune, 
"Yankee Doodle." 

10. "Soldiers of Texas — May their breastworks be Honor, and Fear 
always a day's march behind them;" tune, "Soldier's Bride." 

11. "Mexican prisoners — May they on their return home recollect 
the first lesson of Cyrus, 'To tell the truth;'" tune, "Dear native 
homes." 

12. "Our host and hostess. " 

13. "The fair— The highest incentives to honor." 

In 1837, while I was a merchant, I left Houston to visit Bra- 
zoria on important business. After transacting it I started back. 
For the horse I was riding, a very fine animal, I paid $250 in 
gold. While traveling along the Brazos on the edge of the 
prairie I was joined by a party of men. After journeying to- 
gether a few miles we reached a beautiful point of woods — ma- 



62 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



jestic trees, lovely shade, and fine peach soil. I had but recently 
arrived in Texas, and everything looked charming to me. I ex- 
pressed myself as carried away with this piece of wild land, 
whereupon the party told me it was his; that he owned the 
point — a labor, 177 acres — known as Parker's Point; that he 
would sell it very cheap, and named as his price $1000. He 
then told me his name, Davis Moore; that he was on his way to 
his father's place on Chocolate Bayou, Dr. Moore; that his 
papers were there; that I had better go with him, spend the 
night, and ride to Houston next day. I accompanied him home, 
and found the family owning quite a comfortable place. He 
exhibited his papers showing that he had purchased the land, 
and assuring me it was all right. I agreed to take the land, he 
to come to Houston in a few days for the money. The next 
morning, after receiving from him proper direction, as there 
was no plain road, I started for Houston. I had to find the way 
with heads of creeks and motts of wood for guides. After trav- 
eling a few miles a fine bunch of mustangs or wild horses came 
in sight. I concluded to give them chase, just for amusement. 
My horse was quite fleet, and soon ran in among the colts and 
mares. Had I been accustomed then to the use of the rope I 
could very easily have caught one or more. However, I was 
merely running them for pastime, led away by excitement. 
After playing with them for some time, traversing considerable 
ground, and preparing to resume my journey, I found my saddle- 
bags, with valuable papers, my Mexican blanket and saddle 
blanket, all gone. It then became necessary to cast about and 
endeavor to recover the things. Much valuable time had been 
lost in the racing, and after much more had been spent in the 
search, night came on and none of the articles were recovered. 
There Avas nothing to do but drop down on the prairie, with 
not even a tree in several miles, and camp out. Tying the horse 
to my saddle and laying my head upon it for a pillow, I passed 
the night. When morning came the search was renewed. While 
on the hunt I discovered a rider in the distance. I approached 
him, and when we met my story was told. He was very friendly, 
saw at once I was unaccustomed to prairie traveling, questioned 
me as to my running the mustangs, and finally said, "I know 
now where you started them; I know just how they would run; 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 63 



the slough is Mustang Slough." This slough in after years I 
learned to know very well, for it was directly in my cow range. 
He remarked, "I will soon find your lost articles," and he at 
once proceeded to hunt the trail of the animals. Having found 
it he followed it nip, and in a short time we picked up all that 
I had dropped. He then gave me directions, so that after swim- 
ming one bad bayou (Bray's) I reached Houston, a tired and bet- 
ter informed man than when I left. But I was soon to be still 
better informed. My land friend appeared in a few days and 
received pay for the land. I rested in security, though I had 
only purchased a lovely elephant, having no use whatever for 
ii. When, however, I did think of using it, I found to my 
chagrin and loss that the party had no title whatever. It is true 
he had a paper, and may have supposed he had a title, but it was 
worthless. He proved also to be a worthless fellow, and I never 
did get a cent of my money back. I was brought up in old 
South Carolina, where I had never heard of a man selling any- 
thing that he did not own. 

Now for the sequel to the mustang chase. Many years after 
that occurrence — about twelve years — I had started and was 
settled on my ranch. In the spring of the year my stockkeeper 
was on a hunt, particularly for my milch coavs, of which I then 
owned quite a large number: He discovered that many of my 
most valuable milkers were held by a man living in the range 
some fifteen miles from my ranch. He drove the cows to the 
pen where the calves were, and requested that they be milked 
and the calves turned with them so they could be driven oif. 
"Who are you?" was asked by the indignant fellow holding the 
cattle. "My name is Darwin," was the reply. "I am Mr. Lub- 
bock's stockkeeper. You have some of his best cattle in your 
pen, and he wishes them driven home that his family may have 
the benefit of the milk and butter." The man replied, "I know 
I have some of his best cows up. Do you suppose I would bother 
with any but the best?" "Well," said Darwin, "I am not here 
for fun; I am here to get Mr. Lubbock's cattle. He needs them, 
and it is my duty to gather and drive his stock to the ranch." 
"Well, Mr. Darwin, my family needs the milk and butter, too, 
and I can not spare the cows now. I will tell you what you do. 
You go liack to your ranch and tell Mr. Lubbock that I am the 



64 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



man that found him many years ago, when he was just "green 
from the States," on Mustang Slough, where he had been chas- 
ing mustangs; had lost all of his papers, his saddlebags, and 
blankets, and did not know how to find his way to Houston. The 
fact is, if it had not been for me the coyotes (wolves) would 
have eaten him up, and he would never have lived to have a 
ranch. You go home and tell him what I have said." On Dar- 
win's return he delivered the message, and I said: "That man 
is a truthful fellow; let him alone. If in driving you can get 
the cattle, all right; but never take one of my cows out of his 
pen. He is at liberty to milk my cows as long as I have any." 
I regret that I can not recall his name, for that man was a good 
Samaritan to me, and I had no wish to find fault when he 
thought my time had come to do the Samaritan act. 

In those days there was a great deal of free and easy dealings 
with other people's cattle that was not severely criticised. 

But 1837 was not long enough to cure me of all the freshness 
brought from the States. 

All this time I was doing fairly well in my business as a 
merchant, and Houston continued to grow rapidly. Next we 
became ambitious and wanted a city. So Congress incorporated 
Houston as a city early in June, 1837. But organization hav- 
ing been delayed several weeks, we became impatient and held a 
meeting to expedite the matter. 

Dr. Eobert Marsh presided over the meeting, and Thomas 
William Ward acted as secretary. On motion, a committee of 
three citizens were appointed to wait on the Chief Justice and 
his associates for the purpose of forwarding the views of the 
citizens. 

Judge Batterson, Thomas William Ward, and myself consti- 
tuted the committee, and we were empowered to call the citizens 
together again in five days if action was not taken by the Chief 
Justice. This ended the matter, however, and the city was soon 
properly organized. 

In the latter part of the summer I disposed of my merchan- 
dise. Then I determined to close up my mercantile business 
because I had but little capital. Goods cost high, and having 
bcught largely on credit in New Orleans, I was desirous of pay- 
ing up, which I could do by selling my store. Everybody did 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 65 



not come to Texas to keep from paying their debts, as it is 
sometimes asserted. So I was determined to settle up and get 
ai something else. I was an active, go-ahead fellow, striving 
to make a support for my young wife, and had confidence in my 
own exertions being capital enough for us. Very soon an oppor- 
tunity presented itself for obtaining a salary. 

The called session of the Second Congress convened in Hous- 
ton in September, and through the acquaintance and friendship 
formed with a number of the congressmen, I was chosen assist- 
ant clerk of the House of Representatives. This employment 
suited me, and the pay ($i: per day), though not large, supported 
us well, as people were supported in those days. This called 
session extended nearly to the regular session of the Second 
Congress, which met on the 5th of November. 

I had made rapid proficiency in my duties as clerk, and I 
was, on the organization of the House, easily elected chief clerk. 
I was much gratified to know that I had so satisfactorily per- 
formed my duties that my friends in the House deemed me 
worthy of promotion. I am glad also to add that my worthy 
predecessor, Judge Fairfax Gray, much older than myself, a 
good lawyer and reliable citizen, soon become secretary of the 
Senate. 

During the time of my clerkship I worked night and day. I 
did my very best on my duties as clerk, and at the same time 
I was taking in Masonry as fast as I could. Both of my grand- 
fathers as well as my father were Masons — my grandfather Lub- 
bock a distinguished Mason. So my predilections in that direc- 
tion began with memory and fondness for them and led me 
very naturally to seek admittance at an early day into the ancient 
and honorable order. 

I have always volunteered a little advice to married men seek- 
ing admission into our lodges. Tell your wife and get her con- 
sent. Most women until they understand the object and aims 
of Masonry are opposed to the order, mainly because they know 
that married men are kept from home and their families and 
frequently quite late at night. They also see, unfortunately, as 
is too much the case, dissipation in some who are recognized as 
good Masons. ]\Iy wife had been reared with great prejudice 
against the order, although her father had been a member. He 
5 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



however, was a Catholic, and late in life, becoming quite re- 
ligious, gave up his Masonry as required by the rules of this 
church. Knowing these facts, I dreaded to make my wife un- 
happy, and kept all knowledge of my doings on that line from 
her. We were in our little home alone, except for the oc- 
casional presence of my brother. My duties as clerk of the house 
kept me out quite late at night preparing for the morning's 
work. At the same time the lodge was busy making new mem- 
bers, and as secretary I was compelled to give my labors in the 
early part of the night to the lodge, which required me at times 
to spend nearly all night working up the clerk's business. 

This was unkind treatment to my devoted wife, for she 
thought my time was occupied in my public duties. When she 
finally learned the facts of the case, it was a terrible blow to her. 
I have never since doubted that had I confided in her she would 
have given her consent and all would have gone well. As it was, 
her prejudice became greater, and to this cause more than any 
other must I attribute my non-advancement at this period in 
the order. For I was fond of the work, loved my lodge and my 
brother Masons, and it is often a source of much regret on my 
part that I should have failed in Masonic promotion and dis- 
tinction. So after my experience I always say, "Confide in your 
wife; she is your best friend; she is true when all others fail 
you." My wife never softened towards Masonry until in 1865. 

While I was chief clerk of the House of Representatives Presi- 
dent Houston was occupying a small rough log cabin about 
twelve by sixteen feet, with probably a small shed attached. 
There was no fireplace — nothing but a small clay furnace in 
the room for him to get over and warm his fingers, Indian 
fashion. 

The question of securing a residence at once for the president 
was proposed in Congress, the friends of the measure urging the 
immediate necessity in consequence of his great discomfort. The 
government was about to issue a new currency. To the commit- 
tee appointed to purchase a residence I proposed to sell for $6000 
my store, a large old-time one-story house and a half story above, 
with dormer windows, if they would pay me for it out of the 
first money issued, so that I could remit at once to New Or- 
leans. I made the sale. I then remitted and paid my debts with 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 67 



the money at par. In a short time the issue went down to eighty- 
cents on the dollar. 

This house of mine thus sold to the government for an execu- 
tive mansion of the Republic was on the corner of Main and 
Preston Streets, and built by Capt. E. P. Boyce for my store- 
house. 

During the next spring, Congress voted $3000 more for re- 
pairs; and when Lamar became President there was an additional 
appropriation of $5000 to complete, repair, and furnish the ex- 
ecutive mansion. As the capital was removed to Austin in the 
fall of 1839, President Lamar did not occupy this building 
long. 

There was in the fall of this year (1837) much sickness among 
the members of Congress, caused as I believed from the use of 
the bayou water, which I thought impure. Having been ac- 
customed all my life to the use of rain water, I proposed to the 
Congressmen that if the\ would furnish me with $500 I could 
procure for them in a very few days, from New Orleans, cypress 
cisterns with the capacity of 10,000 gallons, and that would af- 
ford them an abundance of good drinking water, healthy and 
palatable. My offer was accepted, and the cisterns were re- 
ceived and put up promptly. In a few days they were filled 
with excellent water, which had a fine effect upon the health 
of the members and proved a great benefit. 

A meeting of patriotic citizens was held on November 13, 
1837, in the capitol, to express their views on the subject of the 
currency of the Republic. The officers were Maj. I. N. More- 
land, chairman, and Jas. W. Scott, secretary. 

The committee on resolutions, composed of Anson Jones, T. J. 
Rusk, Thos. W. Ward, Geo. Sutherland, Wm. Lawrence, F. R. 
Lubbock, and A. C. Allen, reported: 

"1. That in the opinion of this meeting the treasury drafts 
of this Republic so long as the government shall confine their 
issue within the range of actual resources of the country, will 
constitute a safe, valid, secure, and convenient circulating 
medium greatly superior to the average of the bank notes of 
foreign banks with which this country is flooded, and which 
heretofore have constituted our only circulating medium. 

"2. That in the opinion of this meeting said bank notes are 



68 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



unsafe, most of the banks whose notes are circulating here hav- 
ing suspended specie payment, it also 'being uncertain when they 
will resume them, and probable at least that many of them never 
will. 

"3. That in the opinion of this meeting, said banks having 
violated their promises of payment are in fact public frauds, 
and the circulation of their notes ought not to be encouraged 
in this country, as it will expose our citizens to great and dis- 
astrous losses whenever the final situation of many of those 
banks shall become known. 

"4. That being convinced of the truth and justice of these 
facts, the members of this meeting will use every just means 
in their power to encourage the circulation of the paper of our 
own government to the exclusion of any other currency except 
gold and silver. 

"5. That we recommend the same course to our friends 
throughout the whole country, and call on their patriotism to 
sustain it. 

"6. That the proceedings of this meeting be published in all 
the newspapers throughout the Eepublic." 

Which report, after able and conclusive speeches from the 
Hon. T. J. Eusk and others, was unanimously adopted. 

On motion of Gen. T. J. Rusk, it was "Resolved, that we have 
full confidence in the resources of the country to do strict jus- 
tice to the soldiers and sailors, and therefore recommend respect- 
fully to the Congress to pay them in the best paper issued by 
the government." 

Before the end of this session of Congress E. M. Pease, since 
well known in our history, resigned his office as Comptroller to 
form a partnership with John A. Wharton and continue in the 
practice of law in Brazoria. John W. Harris was added to the 
firm next year, and it then was considered one of the ablest in 
the Republic. Mr. Pease came to Texas in 1835 and first served 
as a soldier, and was afterwards appointed secretary of the Pro- 
visional Government at San Felipe. In 1836, he was a clerk 
in the Navy, then in the Treasury Department. He was quite 
distinguished for one of his age when he retired from the office 
of Comptroller. 

To my surprise President Houston offered me the appoint- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



ment of Comptroller to succeed Pease. There were several ap- 
plicants for the office, some of them men of experience in the 
service, and why it was tendered to me, just entering upon my 
majority, I never knew. No letters of introduction or testi- 
monial of character were presented by me to General Houston 
upon my first arrival in the country, when our acquaintance 
began. Afterwards, while I was clerk of the House of Repre- 
sentatives, we were often thrown together. I became attached 
to him, and he appeared to like me. Houston was always kind 
to young men; most certainly he was in a great degree to me. 
Yet I had no reason to expect any great favor, especially as I 
was not an applicant for the office. 

The appointment was accepted, however, and I immediately 
•began work as Comptroller. The duties of the Comptroller dur- 
ing the Eepublic were quite similar to those now performed by 
the State Comptroller. Then there were two auditors, the first 
who examined all military accounts; the second, all civil list ac- 
counts. When so examined and passed upon as correct they were 
handed to the Comptroller for his examination and approval, 
and if found correct, his warrant was drawn upon the Treasury 
for the amount due. There being now no auditor, the Comp- 
troller examines and passes upon all claims of every character, 
and when adopted the accounts are approved and he draws his 
warrant against the proper appropriation upon the Treasurer, 
who pays the same when in funds. 

Congress passed a law authorizing the holders of the floating 
debt to fund their claims in what was termed a stock fund to 
draw 10 per cent interest, and created the office of Stock Com- 
missioner, who issued and signed the stock certificate; and the 
extra duty was placed upon the Comptroller to countersign the 
certificates. After quite a number of certificates had been thus 
countersigned, the question was raised as to the authority of the 
Ccmptroller to affix his signature to these certificates. A law 
was then passed validating the acts of the Comptroller in the 
matter. My particular friend, the gallant W. G. Cooke of the 
New Orleans Grays, was the first stock commissioner appointed 
under the law. 

When appointed Comptroller I was about 22 years of age, and 
of course I had no great experience. I had to be very, very cau- 



70 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



tious in my decisions; for while wishing to be just, I was sworn 
to protect the interest of the Republic, which means the peo- 
ple's interest. Many accounts had to be revised and readjusted. 
However, I recollect but one prominent case that caused any 
feeling. Colonel M — , an officer in command at Galveston, had 
his account approved by the first auditor. Upon its presenta- 
tion to me, I found quite an amount for hospital stores, includ- 
ing the list of articles only allowed for hospital use, such as 
whisky, butter, eggs, and other delicacies. The law was positive 
that an account of that character must have the certificate of the 
hospital steward that the articles were received by him and used 
in the hospital. This account lacked such certificate; therefore 
I was compelled to reject it. The officer contended that his 
certificate should be recognized as sufficient. I refused positively 
to pass the claim, and it remained in that shape till I left the 
office. He may have afterwards cured the defect and collected 
the money. 

This office made me the associate of men whose minds and at- 
tainments I respected and admired, and I certainly strove with 
all my might to be equal to the honor. It was a time of bright- 
ness in my life that was not surpassed by any other period. The 
drudgery work was hard, but that fell mainly on my two clerks. 
The salary — $2000 per annum — enabled us to mingle in society. 

I had a comfortably fitted up little home, a lovely wife, and 
for servants two Mexican prisoners. I could entertain my friends 
in a quiet way, among them the President, Mosely Baker, Dr. 
Ashbel Smith (Surgeon-General of the army), the Aliens and 
others, men of distinction and culture, as well as many a jolly 
good fellow that laughed at the difficulties of life. In truth, 
society in Houston at that early day, mixed though it was with 
some rough characters^, and without the sheen of later day 
finery, was just glorious; and I was young. I wonder if I am 
yet old. 

As indicating the culture of the Republic I would instance the 
Philosophical Society of Texas, organized about this time with 
Mirabeau B. Lamar as president; Ashbel Smith, Anson Jones, 
Joseph Rowe, and David S. Kaufman, as vice-presidents; Wm. 
Fairfax Gray as recording secretary, and David G. Burnet as cor- 
responding secretary. This society dissolved, I believe, on the 
next removal of the capital. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 71 



CHAPTER FOUE. 

War Meeting in Houston— General Albert Sidney Johnston— General 
Houston as the Author then Viewed Him — Difficulty with Colonel 
Ward — Visit to Mrs. Powell's — Presidential Candidates — Anecdote 
of Rusk — Preachers and Churches — " The Glorious Fourth" at Gal- 
veston in 1838— The Bonnell Expedition — Houston's Administration; 
Its Work — Lamar President — My Experience as a Granger. 

The report of a Mexican advance on Bexar, from Captain 
Karnes, caused the war meeting at the capitol, December 26, 
1837. General Albert Sidney Johnston had just arrived from 
Kentucky. 

Col. A. S. Thurston was chairman, and Francis R. Lubbock, 
secretary. 

Gen. A. Sidney Johnston, Colonel Morehouse, Dr. Ashbel 
Smith, Major Moreland, Francis Moore, Jr., Hon. B. C. Frank- 
lin, and Colonel Thurston were appointed the committee on 
resolutions, and reported the following : 

"Whereas, the recent intelligence from Bexar has fully im- 
pressed upon our minds the necessity of adopting the most 
prompt and energetic measures for conveying aid to our fellow 
citizens of Bexar and for repelling the treacherous enemy; and 
further, for projecting upon his country the calamities he in- 
tended for us; therefore, be it 

"Resolved, that a committee of vigilance be instantly ap- 
pointed to aid and assist all who may wish to hasten immediately 
to the field of action, and to solicit the necessary means for pro- 
curing supplies of provisions, arms, horses, etc., for this import- 
ant object. 

"Resolved, that a committee of correspondence be also ap- 
pointed to communicate with the citizens of the various cities 
and towns of the Republic, in order that by a concert of action 
the whole effective force of the Republic may be brought infn 
the field as soon as possible and enabled successfully to repel the 
invaders from our country. 

"Resolved, that since Mexico, regardless of the example of 
moderation and forbearance which has been set by our govern- 



72 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



ment, which, by disbanding the army, evinced our sincere de- 
sire to turn our swords into plowshares and prepare for peace, 
has wantonly invaded our country and commenced the slaughter 
of our citizens, knowing that the injuries thus infiieted could 
not be in the least beneficial to her; therefore, we consider every 
Texan and friend of liberty bound by duty to prosecute an 
offensive war against Mexico until the last vestige of tyranny 
shall have been swept from her limits. 

"Resolved, that we hold all our means and our personal ser- 
vices at the disposal of our government, to enable it to prosecute 
vigorously, and to an immediate and eternal termination, the 
war with Mexico." 

On motion of Andrew Neill it was 

"Resolved, that all who desire to proceed immediately to the 
aid of Karnes and Wells will assemble in front of the capitol 
to-morrow morning at nine o'clock." 

In accordance with the above resolutions, the following com- 
mittees were appointed : 

Committee of Vigilance. — A. M. Tompkins, William Law- 
rence, W. G. Cooke, A. C. Allen, James S. Holman, B. Fort 
Smith, I. N. Moreland, D. C. Stanley. 

Committee on Correspondence. — Dr. Ashbel Smith, Francis 
Moore, Jr., Hon. B. C. Franklin, Arch Wynns, General Mosely 
Baker. 

On motion the thanks of the meeting were returned to Messrs. 
Davis, Borden, Ephraim, and Phillips for their several dona- 
tions. 

On motion of Mr. Stickney, the proceedings were ordered to 
be published. 

Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston having been appointed to com- 
mand on the frontier, immediately issued the order below to 
rendezvous on the Colorado, and after a few days of preparation 
and consultation with the Secretary of War, set out for the seat 
of war: 

"Headquaeters, City of Houston, December 38, 1837. 
"General Order No. 1 : 

"The commanding general having been instructed by the 
Secretary of War to take charge of the military operations on the 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 73 



western frontier, orders that such portion of the militia as has 
been called into service and the volunteer companies that have 
been accepted for service by the War Department, shall rendez- 
vous as promptly as practicable at Mercer's ferry, on the river 
Colorado. 

"Colonel Hockley, of the ordnance, will provide the artillery 
and ordnance stores requisite for the command, and repair to 
headquarters without delay. By order of 

"Bkig. GrEN. Johnston, 

"Comm. Texan Army. 

"B. H. Johnston, Aid-de-Camp." 

The Mexican scouting party retired on the advance of John- 
ston and the campaign virtually ended. 

No person ever met Sam Houston in the early days of the Ee- 
public without being impressed with his greatness. He was 
then about forty-two years of age, just the prime of life. Stand- 
ing largely over six feet in height, with a massive, well formed 
hand, a most remarkable foot, measuring more around the instep 
than in length, a large head, a piercing gray eye, a mouth and 
nose indicating character, of fine proportions, and as straight as 
a majestic Indian, he was a most perfect specimen of physical 
manhood. With such a presence we can well understand that 
upon state occasions his manner was graceful and courtly. But 
more to be admired than this, among his friends he was social 
and agreeable, with the ladies most suave and deferential, and 
towards the young always kind, interesting, and assuring. Often 
while in conversation with ladies and children he would carve a 
perfectly shaped ring, heart, chain, cross, or other emblem, and 
tender it to some of the party. He was quite fond of whittling, 
keeping in his pocket soft pine or cedar and a good sharp knife 
for that purpose; and the making of these little presents was a 
pastime for himself, and by those who received them they were 
treasured mementoes. 

Outside of his social circle on public occasions he drew the 
multitude to him by the power of his oratory. No man ever lis- 
tened to him that was not desirous of hearing him again. The 
charm of his imposing presence and impressive manner drew 



74 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



the people to him, and he knew full well how to hold and enter- 
tain them. 

He was not a finished scholar — not a student of books; he was, 
however, a thinker — a student of men and things. In Texas 
he proved himself first a soldier of great ability and then a 
statesman. No one at all conversant with his character will 




SAM HOUSTON. 



controvert this proposition. If you will but scan the history of 
Texas and follow his career from 1835 to 1846, you can but be 
impressed with its truth. It is clearly demonstrated in San 
Jacinto and the treaty with Santa Anna following that victory, 
especially in his insisting that the President of Mexico should 
be allowed to depart from the country against the protest of 
many officers and soldiers of the army, the result following the 
release of Santa Anna proving the wisdom of his decision. 

Then again the furloughing of the army of the Republic of 
Texas in 1837 was one of the most marked evidences of state- 
craft I have ever known. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 75 



He was confronted with the fact that he had in their camps 
some twenty-five hundred men, mostly without families and 
homes, volunteers from aibroad; in other words, adventurers, 
soldiers of fortune led to Texas with the view of warring with 
Mexico, all unoccupied and poorly provided with clothing and 
provisions, restless and clamoring for action. 

President Houston and the more conservative men of Texas 
were satisfied with the victory at San Jacinto, and they were 
willing to hold the country they had, and to let Mexico alone 
if she would keep her armies off our soil. The great question 
with the President therefore was how to get rid of these soldiers. 
This he did by a judicious system of furloughing. 

Though I came to the country at an early period and mixed 
with soldiers and every class of people and engaged in various 
kinds of business — merchandising, ranging, politics, and ranch- 
ing — I had managed to escape any serious personal difficulty up 
to the time of the trouble with Col. Thos. W. Ward. Ward did 
not come up to my idea of right in a business transaction between 
us, I abused him publicly. He then challenged me. Major 
Izzard bearing the message. I referred him to my best friends, 
Wm. M. Shepherd, Secretary of the Navy, and Col. Wm. G. 
Cooke, then Stock Commissioner of the Eepublic, to get them to 
make all necessary arrangements for the affair. Colonel Cooke 
said at once, "Ward can not fight Lubbock until he fights me. 
He is under obligations to fight me, and I do not propose to re- 
lieve him. The same reasons exist for his not fighting Lubbock 
as for his not accepting my challenge, namely, that he is in debt 
and under a large bond for building the capitol and he therefore 
can not honorably risk his life until the obligations are settled." 
So it was decided that I should ignore the challenge. Ward 
then said publicly that he would chastise me and make me apolo- 
gize for my abuse. I immediately prepared myself for him. I 
had to pass his house every day, and I carried a derringer in my 
pocket and another pistol in my belt, a not unusual thing at that 
time. 

The difficulty occurred April 14, 1838, immediately on the 
adjournment of a joint session of Congress to hear read the 
President's message, and "in view of the Senate." I was in at- 



76 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



tendance with Mrs. Lubbock on this occasion. The ceremonies 
concluded, without even procuring my hat, I passed out with 
Mrs. Lubboclv to the carriage, and was returning to my office, 
when Colonel Ward, taking advantage of the public day, made 
the assault, striking me with a stick. I drew my derringer and 
fired. The pistol was struck up by Col. Cooke, causing me 
fortunately to miss my man and do no hurt to anyone in the 
immense concourse. We were immediately arrested by the city 
authorities. Dr. Francis Moore, being present, placed me under 
bond. We were also separately taken before the Senate under 
a charge of contempt and allowed to defend ourselves. On my 
explanation, I was exonerated and allowed to go; but Ward 
was reprimanded by the speaker.® Thus the trouble ended. We 

6 The Senate Journal, pp. 9, 10, Monday, April 10, 1838: 

"On motion of Mr, Russell the following resolution was 
submitted: 

"That the sergeant-at-arms be required to arrest the persons of 
Thos. W. Ward and Francis R. Lubbock and bring them forthwith be- 
fore the bar of this house for trial for an act of contempt committed on 
Saturday last. . . . 

"Mr. Francis R. Lubbock was brought to the bar of the Senate by 
the sergeant-at-arms, under the warrant of the president, upon a charge 
of contempt of the Senate for firing a pistol at Thomas W. Ward in the 
gallery of the capitol, in view of the Senate. 

"The president stated to the accused the charge on which he was 
arrested, and asked what he had to say in his defense. 

"Mr. Lubbock addressed the Senate in explanation of the circum- 
stance. 

"On motion of Mr. Russell, it was ordered" that F. R. Lubbock be 
honorably discharged from his arrest. 

" The sergeant-at-arms reported that Thomas W. Ward had locked 
himself up in his house and refused to be arrested or seen. . . . 

" Thomas W. Ward was brought to the bar of the Senate by the ser- 
geant-at-arms upon a charge of contempt, for making an assault on 
Francis R. Lubbock in the gallery of the capitol. 

"The president informed the accused of the charge and asked him 
what he had to say in his defense. 

" Mr. Ward addressed the Senate in explanation of the circumstances 
attending the occurrence. . . . 

"On motion of Mr. Russell, amended by Mr. Everett, it was resolved 
that Thomas W. Ward be reprimanded by the president for the con- 
tempt manifested by him to this house in making a personal assault 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 77 

subsequently agreed to be friends. While Colonel Ward was a 
passionate man, he was a patriotic citizen and a good soldier, 
having lost a leg in the storming of Bexar. Afterwards lie filled 
the office of Land Commissioner for several years with credit to 
himself and benefit to the country. 

Of course, a challenge from a proper party in those days could 
not be safely declined. As it turned out, however, I never was 
a principal or second in a duel. The Fourth Congress effectually 
broke up the "inhuman and detestable practice" in 1840, by an 
act to suppress dueling. The penalty on conviction was a fine 
of $1000, twelve months' imprisonment, and perpetual dis- 
qualification for any office of honor, trust, or profit in the Repub- 
lic. This punishment applied to principals and seconds alike. 
Incapacity to hold office had such terrors that dueling became a 
thing of the past in Texas. 

In the spring of 1838, Mrs. Lubbock, with the accomplished 
wife of John G. Welchmeyer, the second Auditor of the Repub- 
lic, and myself left Houston early one morning on a visit to Mrs. 
Powell, who lived about fifty miles distant across the Brazos. 
The ladies were seated in a fine old-fashioned, two-wheel vehicle 
then called a gig. It had a good leather top and was in every 
way suitable and comfortable for the occasion. The horse draw- 
ing the gig was a large, gentle, and quite valuable animal. I 
was mounted on a good Texas pony. After traveling eighteen 
or twenty miles, we stopped to "noon" at one of the Hodges', 
near Hodge's Bend, on the Brazos. A part of the refreshments 
was some rich, cool, and delicious buttermilk, in drinking which 
we all joined heartily. But I got more than my share, having 
drank seven large tumblers full. The afternoon ride on my 
hard-trotting pony, determined to keep up with the fast-going 
gig, was almost unbearable, as it seemed to me that I was trans- 
formed into a churn full of buttermilk, and that I was re- 
churning the milk by my hard jolting. After realizing my 
situation, the ladies were induced to "slow up" in their driving, 

upon a citizen, in the gallery of the capitol and in view of the Senate. 
" The president accordingly reprimanded the accused, and he was 
discharged." 



78 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



and I thus managed to pull through to Mrs. Gen. James Long's 
plantation, near Richmond. That distinguished lady treated 
our party with her us-ual hospitality. 

After a tine country breakfast we continued our journey, 
arriving safely at Mrs. Powell's about noon. We received such a 
welcome as the old Texans always gave to their friends. Very 
soon we all felt perfectly at home, and it is easy to understand 
that for awhile the family were entertained with jokes at my ex- 
pense about the buttermilk. Mrs. Powell had living with her 
then two sons, a widowed daughter, Mrs. Kelsey, a great favorite 
of ours, and a single daughter. Their time was most delightfully 
spent at this beautiful home, for everything there was bright and 
cheery. 

The next day all the ladies took a ride out over the prairies, 
I attending them as usual on my pony. Encountering a pretty 
little creature (that turned out to be a skunk) playing on the 
prairie, I got the whip from the gig and tried to have some fun 
with the animal at long range. It is needless to say, perhaps, 
that the skunk proved to be better at long range than I, even 
with a whip ; and I quickly drew off in bad plight, to the amuse- 
ment of the ladies. When I got back I was met at the gate by 
Mrs. Lubbock with other clothes and orders to retire to an out- 
house close by and make the necessary change before showing 
myself in the household. 

Afterwards I consoled myself with the thought that, though 
somewhat verdant myself, I was not as much so as Algernon P. 
Thompson, a distinguished lawyer of Houston. This gentle- 
man, when fresh from England and before learning the ropes, 
met one of these pretty creatures for the first time, and not 
knowing its nature, took it up in his bosom without ruffling its 
temper and presented it in hand to a lady who knew the differ- 
ence in cats. 

The intelligent student of Texas history will not fail to note 
that this was the Mrs. Powell in whose house Filisola held a 
council of war after concentrating his army a few days subse- 
quent to the battle of San Jacinto. It was the unanimous ver- 
dict of the council of war to fall back and get out of Texas as fast 
as possible. So the famous retreat of the Mexican army began, 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 79 



never to halt on the east side of the Rio Grande. Mrs. Powell 
was a true Texan and retained a vivid recollection of Generals 
Filisola, Urrea, and Gaona, who staid over night at her house. 
She also saw Santa Anna and Almonte on their inarch to Harris- 
burg. 

After a delightful visit of several days we set out on our re- 
turn home from Mrs. Powell's. We held up for dinner in the 
Brazos bottom, so as to give our horses a chance at the wild 
cane there. The ladies kept their seats in the gig, to which the 
horse remained hitched. In dropping the bits from his mouth, 
I carelessly let the bridle fall from his head and he darted out 
at full speed, dragging me with him, till the gig ran over a 
stump and was upset, spilling out the ladies without any serious 
damage to them. The gig was so badly wrecked as to be a com- 
plete loss. We repaired to a neighboring house, and thence pro- 
cured conveyance to Houston. 

Although Comptroller of the Eepublic, I was, it would seem, 
only an inexperienced youth. I profited, however, by my ex- 
perience, and probably some of my young friends can see it, too. 
(Mem.): Never take more than two glasses of buttermilk at one 
time. Never take the bit out of your horse's mouth when he is 
hitched to a vehicle containing the wife whose life is as precious 
as your own; and most emphatically never fight a skunk, much 
less take him to your bosom like my friend A. P. Thompson, and 
present him to your girl. 

Returning to politics, the preliminary steps for bringing out 
candidates for the ensuing presidency began early in the winter 
of 1837-38. 

Lamar was first called out as a presidential candidate in a card 
published in the Telegraph and signed by such prominent men 
as S. H. Everett, J. S. Lester, I. W. Burton, W. H. Wharton, 
Emory Raines, A. C. Horton, John Dunn, S. C. Robertson, D. 
Rowlett, G. W. Barnett, and Ed T. Branch. His reply was: 
"I do not feel at liberty to decline the duties of any station, how- 
ever high and honorable, to which the voice of my fellow-citizens 
may call me." 

Lamar had not been slow to express his dissent from Houston's 
policy of dealing with the Mexicans and Indians, and this was 



80 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



enough to rouse the partisans of Houston as they desired his 
policies unclianged, whether their favorite was president or not. 

The Constitution of the Eepublic did not allow a president 
to hold two consecutive terms of his office. Therefore "Old Sam" 
was out of the race, and it only remained to find a presidential 
candidate in harmony with Houston's views. 

The Houston party was opposed to the election of General 
Lamar because they believed he would inaugurate distinctive 
measures not likely to be so beneficial to the Eepublic. 

Houston's policy was one of moderation, economy, and un- 
ostentatious work for the good of the government. His idea 
was that Texas had accomplished wonders, and that the people, 
satisfied to maintain her independence and hold the territory she 
claimed, should be willing to remain quiet, looking to the in- 
crease of population and advancement of her material interest, 
making themselves day by day stronger for an emergency. Con- 
sequently he was opposed to all measures looking to an invasion 
of Mexico. 

His policy towards the Indians was friendship, believing that 
with our want of funds and men, more could be accomplished 
by treaties and fair dealing with them than by continual war- 
fare which must result from aggressive measures.'^ 

Democratic in his manners, ideas, and customs, he was opposed 
to any extravagant expenditures in governmental affairs. 

Houston's friends believed that General Lamar, while a pa- 
triot, brave, honest, and devoted to Texas, was poetical and vis- 
ionary, without rearing or experience in statecraft, disposed to 
be extravagant in his ideas of conducting public matters, not ap- 
preciating the poverty of the country, in favor of an aggressive 
policy both against Mexico and the Indians, and that his prin- 
cipal advisers and closest friends were enemies of Houston and 
his policy, thus binding him to an opposite course. 

Fearing this would retard the growth of the country and in- 

■^ Dr. Wm. Preston Johnston, of Tulane University, in his "Life of 
General Albert Sidney Johnston," his father, calls Houston's policy to- 
wards Mexico a do-nothing policy, and not a defensive policy, as claimed 
for it. A short time before his death, ex-Governor O. M. Roberts in a 
conversation on the subject with the Editor, said that Johnston's char- 
acterization of Houston's foreign policy was eminently just; and further, 
that it was a wise policy. — Editor. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 81 



volve it in difiiculty and debt, they proposed to select a candi- 
date for the presidency favoring their own views. 

There was a large and enthusiastic meeting of the friends of 
General Eusk at Houston about the middle of May. I. N. 
Moreland presided, and I acted as secretary. I was also put on 
the committee on resolutions, the other members being Anson 
Jones, W. M. Bronaugh, Wm. G. Cooke, Henry Millard, and 
T. Ii\ L. Parrott. Vigorous resolutions were then adopted, recom- 
mending General Eusk as a suitable man for the presidency, and 
calling upon him to be a candidate. The chair then appointed 
three committees from the eastern, middle, and western dis- 
tricts respectively, to wait upon General Eusk and present him 
the said resolutions. He was then at the capital as a member 
of Congress. Eusk promptly answered the call in a courteous 
letter acknowledging the honor, but declining on account of his 
financial embarrassments and alleged ineligibility, not having 
attained the constitutional age of thirty-five; and for the fur- 
ther reason stated in his correspondence with General Lamar 
the year before, indorsing Lamar's candidacy. 

In the meantime Lamar's friends were not idle. They held 
on May 19th a meeting, of which Dr. B. T. Archer was president 
and I. W. Burton secretary. Their committee on resolutions was 
composed of such strong men as Dr. S. H. Everett, Gen. K. H. 
Douglass, Maj. George Sutherland, Judge E. M. Williamson 
("Three-Legged Willie"), and Maj. Jas. D. Cocke. The latter 
made a stirring speech; after which, on motion of Dr. Forest, 
seconded by Judge Sterne, the resolutions favoring Lamar's 
candidacy for the presidency were unanimously adopted. One 
notable resolution was of congratulation to the public, "that 
Generals Eusk and Lamar will not be rivals in the approaching 
canvass for the chief magistracy." 

A few days later another Lamar meeting was held. In this 
Maj. William Kimbro, Col. B. L. Hanks, E. W. Cullen, Col. 
K. L. Anderson, Col. L. H. Mabbett, A. W. Canfield, and Col. 
Isaac Campbell made up the committee on resolutions, W. G. 
Anderson acting as president and W. W. Parker as secretary. 

The distinguished names above mentioned will indicate the 
strength of Lamar's acceptability. 

When Eusk declined the nomination for the presidency it be- 
6 



82 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



came necessary to select some one else as the candidate of the 
Houston party. Accordingly Peter W. Grayson, a good lawyer 
and po23ular man, was called out as a candidate for the 
presidency by a committee of thirty-one prominent citizens. He 
accepted the nomination tendered him and made a visit to Ken- 
tucky. He was expecting soon to return and enter upon his 
canvass. In a few weeks, however, the sad intelligence came 
that he had put an end to his own life, as alleged at the time 
from disappointment in a love aifair. Thus the Houston party 
was again frustrated. 

Chief Justice James Collingsworth was the next Houston can- 
didate for the presidency, but during the canvass committed sui- 
cide by jumping overboard from a vessel in Galveston Bay. 

Eobert Wilson, who made such a racket in the Senate, was 
the last candidate to announce himself as against Lamar for 
President. Lamar had a walkover, getting G695 votes, while 
Wilson got only 352. 

It was said at the time that Eusk was influenced in his de- 
cision not to be a candidate by the probability that General La- 
mar would view it as an unfriendly act upon his part and that 
it would result in a personal difficulty, particularly as in 1836, 
though without any solicitation on his part, he was preferred by 
the army as their commander over Lamar. Rusk was a grand 
man. He not only had a great intellect, but he was amiable, 
kind, and considerate, and it is highly probable he disliked to 
interrupt the kindly relations existing. I am pleased to record 
the fact that I offered his name for the place of chief magistrate, 
for history must give the verdict that Texas could not bestow 
too much honor on Rusk, equally distinguished as a citizen, as a 
soldier, and as a statesman. As an illustration of his unremit- 
ting toil and energetic action for Texas in the day of her ex- 
tremity, this anecdote, authenticated by Gov. 0. M. Roberts, is 
told of Rusk : 

"The night after the organization of the government ad in- 
terim under Burnet a council was held. Burnet, in a dignified 
manner, called on one after another for an expression of opinion, 
coming last to the Secretary of War, Rusk, who, with his elbows 
on his knees and his head resting in his hands as if meditating, 
was actually fast asleep, as he had been at work night and day 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 83 



for three days on the Constitution. Punched in the ribs by the 
gentleman next to him, he brought himself to the perpendicular 
and said: 'I think we are in a hell of a fix. We are worked down. 
Let's go over to the saloon and get a drink, then mount our 
horses, and go and fight like the devil and get out of it.' They 
went ; Rusk went all of it." 

In the general rush for Texas were included many preachers, 
whose lives in some instances did not tally with their pro- 
fession. To guard against imposition on that line, a kind of 
preachers' vigilance committee was organized at Houston during 
the first session of Congress in the town. Dr. R. Marsh and Z. 
Morrill, Baptists from Alabama, appeared to be the leaders in 
the movement. The other members were W. W. Hall, a Ken- 
tucky Presbyterian, and three Methodists, to wit, W. P. Smith 
of Tennessee, L. I. Allen of New York, and H. Matthews of 
Louisiana. This body pledged themselves to recognize as such 
no preacher coming into Texas from the United States or else- 
where unless he had with him a testimonial of good character. 
Among the preachers coming in after this was Littleton Fowler, 
elected chaplain of the Senate in the fall or winter of 1837. He 
was a zealous Methodist, and a preacher of considerable ability. 
It was Mr. Fowler who obtained from the Aliens for the Metho- 
dists the title to the half block of ground on which Shearn 
Church now stands. 

In the spring session of Congress of 1838, Wm. Y. Allen, a 
Presbyterian, acted as chaplain during Mr. Fowler's temporary 
absence. We shall hear of him again in the annexation move- 
ment. 

Among other distinguished Methodist preachers of this period 
with whom I was intimately acquainted was Dr. Orceneth Fisher. 
His widow, Mrs. Rebecca J. Fisher, is now the honored president 
of the W. B. Travis Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic at 
Austin. 

It may not be without interest to note here that the Presby- 
terian Church was organized on the last day of March, 1839, in 
the Senate chamber at Houston, by Wm. Y. Allen. 

The basis of organization — that is, belief in the Holy Scrip- 
tures, the adoption of the Presbyterian Confession of Faith, and 
the form of church government and directory for worship — 



84 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



being agreed to, the following names were appended: A. B. 
Shelby, J. Wilson Copes, James Burke, Isabella E. Parker, Ed 
Belden, Marian Shelby, James Bailey, Sarah Woodward, Jen- 
nett Smith, Harris G. Avery, and Sophia B. Hodge. James 
Burke was elected ruling elder. Mr. Allen continued as pastor 
of this church till 1843. 

In these early days of the Eepublic a very friendly feeling 
existed between the inhabitants of the Magnolia City and those 
of our great island seaport, and excursions to and fro between 
them were not uncommon. In May, 1838, a party from Houston, 
including the President, many Congressmen, and other distin- 
guished officials, made a steamboat run down to the Island City, 
where they were royally entertained. On their return up the 
bayou several of the excursionists evinced by their words and 
manners that they had partaken too freely of the festivities. 

But the big social event that year between the two cities was 
the Fourth of July celebration at Galveston, to which the Hous- 
tonites were invited by a polite note from H. H. Allen, corre- 
sponding secretary of the Galveston committee, addressed to 
Messrs. A. Ewing, Geo. W. Poe, D. B. Townsend, J. W. Cruger, 

and Niles. The Houston party, composing the elite of the 

city, were gratuitously transported to the Island City on the 
steamer Sam Houston by the courteous Captain O'Brian. It is 
not at all improbable that there were some excesses indulged 
in on that occasion; but much is to be overlooked in these old 
Texans who carried with them beyond the borders of their na- 
tive land their unquenchable love of liberty. The Fourth of 
July demonstration on Galveston Island in the year 1838 proved 
to the world that the Texans had not ceased to be Americans, 
and that annexation to the United States sooner or later was in- 
evitable. 

In the fall of 1838 the Indians were killing people and depre- 
dating on the Brazos about the falls near where is now the town 
of Marlin, and in the present counties of Brazos and Grimes. 
They came as low down at times as Navasota, only seventy miles 
from Houston. These savages became so troublesome that the 
government determined to put a battalion in the field to chas- 
tise them, and Maj. Geo. W. Bonnell was appointed to the com- 
mand. The Milam Guards, a military company of Houston, vol- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 85 



iinteered for the time — three months — and made part of Bon- 
nell's battalion. As I was a charter member of that company, 
and then acting as Comptroller, I obtained from the President 
leave of absence to go with them. In compliment to the Milam 
Guards perhaps, as well as to myself, Major Bonnell appointed 
me his adjutant. The office was not a sinecure or easily filled, 
as some military knowledge and business tact were prerequisites 
for the proper discharge of its duties. I had been a holiday sol- 
dier since my sixteenth year, but this was my first experience in 
the field, and a rough one it was. 

Major Bonnell was a young man of more than ordinary ability 
and information. I am not aware that he had acquired any 
special military experience, and I must say that his first appear- 
ance as our commander in chief did not impress the men that he 
had any special fitness or aptness to command a set of raw Texas 
boys. He was of medium height, with red hair and freckled face 
under a slouched hat, and he came into camp in a very long coat 
reaching nearly to his ankles, making quite a priestly appearance, 
and but for a belt around his waist and a long old sword dang- 
ling thereby, he looked less like a frontier soldier than any of 
us, though there was no uniformity of dress in the battalion, 
each one wearing what he could get as most appropriate for a 
hard winter campaign. Our major, however, made us a good and 
intelligent commander to the end of the expedition. Subse- 
quently he was Spanish translator in the Land Office at Austin. 
While here, he wrote a little book about the Indians of Texas. 

A peak near the capital still bears the name of Mount Bonnell, 
so called in his honor. He attended the Mier expedition as a 
private, and was killed on the Rio Grande. 

We left Houston in a very wet and cold time, and in a few 
nights afterwards we encountered a dreadful and disastrous sleet. 
We were without tents and suffered fearfully; however, we got 
on well, having very little sickness in our command. 

After a few days' march a courier arrived with orders for us 
to change our destination and report to General Rusk at or near 
Nacogdoches to punish the Cherokees, who were becoming very 
hostile. Just before reaching Nacogdoches another courier 
reached us with the information that General Rusk had all the 
men he required, and we were ordered to return and proceed 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



to the Brazos as originally instructed. We were quite disgusted 
at this command, for we felt assured the Cherokees would fight 
and there would be an opportunity to gain a little military 
glory — a kind of glory that most Texans desired in those days. 
But all the same, let it be understood, we were no holiday sol- 
diers, but men doing hard service with long, rough marches, 
often hungry and thirsty and tired and sicji and in rags, and not 
knowing when we might encounter an ambushed savage eager 
for our scalps. 

In starting out I had made for me a pair of fine buckskin 
pants such as worn by frontiersmen. Once, while out scouting 
for several days with a small party, we were overtaken by a heavy 
rain storm when in our camp asleep. I was lying in a low place, 
so that the water ran against me in a flood, saturating my buck- 
skins. Not thinking of the consequences, and being very wet 
and cold, I backed myself up to a hot mesquite fire made up to 
dry and warm us. Before discovering it, my pants had crawled 
up to my knees, and I had to ride in that plight a day or two. 
They got tighter and tighter all the time until we reached the 
main camp. Then I had in a manner to cut them off my limbs. 
I have never owned a pair of buckskin pants since. They are 
more entertaining in a picture or a romance than they are on 
one's own shanks. 

We had several amusing incidents to occur during our march 
towards the east. While plodding our weary way we overtook 
a lone horseman and inquired of him if we were pursuing the 
best road to reach a proper camping place at night. He very 
promptly informed us that we were wrong and advised us to take 
another course. After following his advice and traveling a few 
miles we fell in with a party of whom we made inquiry. He said 
to us emphatically: "The man that directed you misinformed 
you intentionally. Had you kept the course you were traveling 
it would have taken you to his place, and the best and shortest 
way, and you would have camped there. That was what he did 
not want you to do." 

After getting proper directions we determined to camp that 
night with our false guide. Arriving about dark, after selecting 
our camp ground the quartermaster and commissary called on 
our friend, to his utter astonishment, and requested that he 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 87 



would furnish us a beef. His reply was that he had none that 
could be gotten at that time. The quartermaster then said to 
him, "We will make out with hog meat." He insisted that he 
did not have a hog. The quartermaster then told him he would 
be compelled to send a detail to scour the country, as we had no 
rations, expecting to get them from the settlers. He then de- 
termined to get ahead of us, and said he would take a hunt and 
see what he could do. After an absence of several hours he re- 
turned, bringing with him an old stag beef that was quickly 
butchered, but the meat was so offensive from what is known as 
wild garlic that the animal had grazed upon that the men could 
not eat it, as they were not starving. One can imagine that we 
were angry — red hot. I had in my mess the bugler of the 
command. He was quite a smart fellow and an old soldier. I 
said to him, "Battinger, should any hogs come around the camp 
call me, and I will have pork for our mess to pack off in the 
morning." I knew he could take the hide off so that a porker 
would be very good "slow bear," as we called skinned hog meat. 

About daylight I was called. Some very good shoats were 
about our camp. I stepped out with my large bored rifle and 
fired; the pig dropped, and the bugler soon had him skinned, cut 
up, and divided among our mess preparatory to leaving the camp. 
A few minutes afterwards our friend appeared, remarking, "I 
see the boys are killing my hogs," and addressed himself to me. 
I replied, "You stated to the quartermaster that you had no 
hogs." "Oh, I meant that I had no killing hogs." We paid no 
attention to him, but about the time we were starting off he 
wanted pay. We badgered him, refusing to pay for what he said 
he did not own. He followed us for miles. Finally we felt sorry 
for the fellow, and the quartermaster gave him a receipt. I pre- 
sume he got his money without interest after annexation. 

At another time, when in the neighborhood of Nacog- 
doches, just before receiving orders to retrace our steps, we were 
about to select a camp ground, when the proprietor of the place 
came out and advised the commanding officer that if he would 
go a very short distance he would find a government fort with 
plenty of provisions and forage for our horses. We acted on his 
suggestion, — found it twice as far as he said it was, and reached 
the fort far in the night, worn out and tired. We found a few 



88 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



women and children "forted up" in fear of the Indians, with 
little or no breadstutfs, and not a pound of forage, so that our 
men and horses lay down hung-ry and in ill humor. The troops 
were all out of the fort on duty. 

Next morning a detail was made to visit the hospitable patriot 
who had deceived us the night before. We took with us from 
the fort three wagons and ox teams. On reaching the place we 
saw seated upon the gallery the hospitable man of the night be- 
fore and several others, all well armed. 

The officer of the detail opened up our business, which was that 
we desired the wagons loaded with corn and fodder. Much pro- 
testing and some threatening was done, when finally the party 
refused to let us have the feed, whereupon the guard was ordered 
to proceed to the barn and corn cribs. They did so, and filled 
the wagons to their utmost capacity, giving receipts for the same. 
We took it back, fed what we required, and turned the balance 
over to the people in the fort. They were highly delighted, and 
gave us to understand that the party had never given them the 
slightest assistance. 

So you will see that even in those early days there were 
men — I believe, however, they were exceptions — who did not 
care to furnish to the soldiers defending the frontier the sub- 
sistence so necessary to keep them in the field and render them 
efficient. I presume this patriot also got his money without in- 
terest some ten years later. 

We did constant ranging on the Brazos, Little Eiver, and the 
Gabriels, and even more territory. At the falls of the Brazos, 
near Marlin, we built a fort, more for the protection of the fam- 
ilies in that section than for ourselves, and evidences of the 
structure are still to be seen after fifty-five years af abandon- 
ment. 

During a scout of several days made by five of us. for many 
hours we were almost famished for water. Near the head waters 
of the Gabriel we came upon a herd of buffalo, then numerous in 
that section, and we killed four of them. W. K. Smith, a 
butcher, and one of our party, cutting their throats, said the 
blood would quench thirst; that it tasted like new milk just from 
the cow. All of the others drank a great deal of it and were 
nauseated in consequence. I was the last to try it. Profiting 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 89 



by their experience, I drank but little. It did taste like new- 
milk and was somewhat warmer. It quenched my thirst without 
having any bad effect upon me, and I was glad enough to get it. 

Sometimes the boys would get out of tobacco and go almost 
crazy for the want of it. It seemed to be greater suffering than 
hunger or thirst. Then, although I dare not laugh at them, I 
could congratulate myself that I had never taken a chew or 
smoked a cigar. 

We had many alarms, yet no fights with the Indians; but 
doubtless this ranging on the frontier protected the settlers and 
their stock. There was no killing and no stealing while our com- 
mand was on duty. 

Our campaign was a hard one, for it was winter all the time 
and the weather was cold and rainy, while our clothing and 
blankets grew thinner and threadbare and ragged as our ex- 
posure continued. However, this was to be expected, and when 
our time was out we were returning home light-hearted and 
happy, when a very sad occurrence cast down our spirits. A 
soldier had received permission to discharge his gun. Just as 
he pulled the trigger one of our most estimable men. Sergeant 
Breeding, rode up on a very tall horse, and, receiving the full 
charge in his body, fell dead to the ground. With this lamented 
exception we all returned to Houston at the end of the three 
months and were discharged. The boys sought their homes and 
places of business and cigars with a feeling of gratification that 
our past hardships had helped to win peace for the present and 
greater security for the future in our settlements. 

On our return to Houston we presented a motley appearance. 
On leaving, we were well clothed, and though not in uniform, 
looked quite like holiday soldiers. Now the most of us were in 
rags. I remember well how I appeared and hoW astonished my 
wife and friends were when they beheld me marching through 
town. The legs of my pants had disappeared, and I had made 
leggins of an old green baize crumb cloth that I had taken with 
me for a horse cover. This I cut up and divided with the boys, 
for many of them were fully as bad off as myself. 

The following circumstance was quite amusing to our boys, 
who were worthy Texans of some army experience: Our quarter- 
master was a nice fellow, a journalist from South Carolina, but 



1)0 



i.diuux A'.s i\ii':nn)ih's. 



rccciillv ]iiriv('<l in Tcxjis, .). W. Siiimioiis. lie desired (o hIiow 
liiH vvdliiif^nesH 1(1 li/^lil Ictr I he (miiiiiI ry of Ins iidopl ion. Me look 
vvilli liiiii a siiiidl eiirpel, liooljnek, and slippers, lie \v(n-e very 
line, li/^lil. Iiools, Ii;hI ;i hiindsonie luol, and dressed well. Me 
would he called a "dude" nowadays. yVt'ler hein^' in camp a sliorl, 
lime (hy lh(> way, li<' was a j^ood li;.;hler, havinf^ I'oii.i^hl one or 
more diH'ls), lie said: "I have come out here and ronj^hed d. 1 
liav(> endeavored lo lind llie Indians. II is not my I'aidl that 
lliey ean not he loiiiid. I Ihinlv Ihe poinl of honor is sellled 
and I shall reliirn home." Having <,f(d permission lo do so he 
lel'l. ns. Mr. Simmons nl'lcrwards Idled an imporlant civil po«i- 
l.ion, Hiipersedin;; me as ('ompi roller in the Lumar adminiisim- 
iion. 

II will he tpiile a mistake to suppose that the Milam (luards 
were eharlered'' as a mere holiday company. On the conlrary, 
a few of Ihe vei'v hesl citi/.ens of llousloii helieved that a coin- 
piUiy charlcred hy Ihe Congress of the lke|)uhli<' and made up id' 
Mie hesi material in Ihe eoinmiinilv mii^ht prove a nucleus u[i(Ui 
which c(Uil(l he t'oinied ;it jinv time a I'orct' that could do <;ood 
Hcrvicc in case ol" an cmcriMMiev (ullu'r in Ihe city or the Stale. 
('Crlain privile/^es accorded Ihe company, such as excmplion 
fnun jury and road duly, I'lllcd its ranks with the very llrsl citi- 
zens. The eoinpauv was popular, and was commanded hy the 
Im'sI nulilary nuui, such as ('apt. J o(> Daniels, . I oh n N. (>. Smith, 
.lanu's l{(>ily. ,lnd,^(> Teler W. (li-ay, and others. I hci^an as a 
private m Ihe compauv, was promoliMl to c(U'ptM'al. and all ahuin' 
Ihe lint", ari'iviii!;' tinally at the caplaine\. We also volunteered 
lo repel the M(>Nican invasion in IS IV, hiil were turned \ym\ at 
('oliimhns h\ the (Meiers of the i;-overnment , Woll having' re- 
lrealt>d towards the KMo Orande. So we hoiiorahly escajied Ihe 
tlisaslers of Ihe Mier t>\pedilion. 

I look a ;','reat di^al of inlt>rest and pride in my company, more 



• 'I'lie eliiirliT was seiMired hy liie iiel ive n id ot' OiMieriil lioiisloii while 
a moinluM* of tli(> Kourlh tlonj^fn^ss, and oilier frieiid.s. 'I'lie iiioorpora- 
(ors wi>n< .losi'pli DsiniolM. .losepli ('. lOldridir**, .1. L, NieUolson, O. .1. 
licddenhiMv;, .1. I>. CoeUe, A. .1. Davis, and m\st>ll'. Iiicorporaled for 
Ion vears. with t>xtMup(ion from mililia drills and road workiiiir. WIkmi 
takliijr llio Hold Mit> oompanv. noi (o (<xcmmhI sevciil y-llve mumi. wert> Id 
runiiNli tlioirowii (oiils. wairoiis, and camp eipiipa^re. 



/.li/l/{()(/s'S IMI.MOIRS. 1)1 



(iC course wliilf I coiiinijimlcil il, wliirli fori iiii;ilc|y lor \\w wiiH 
jil'lcr I W!iH <lisl rid. clerk ; lor voliinlccr coiiipaiiieH nre iil wiiyH (!X- 
peilHive !,(» tlioHe heloiijrili^ (,o tJuilii, en|iecin,ll_y io llir oIlicerH. 
VVIien we IiihI I'liii in I hone (liiyK we piiid more for il lli;iii now. 
()nc;^r;in(l li;iii(|iicl for llicni cosi nie $-^'HI, mid ;i lic'iiili fill ;'<)|(| 
rneihil, which I he IichI shot. w;is iillowed Io we;ir, ■^.'"lO moic. I 
Tooled I he hill ;is ;i sitiidl wiiy of Hhowiiii^r niy Jippreciiil ion of IIk! 
honor conrcrrcd when I hey imidc me llieir cii|»l;iiii. 'I'ln' iiKiri 
vveiirin^' l.he mumIiiI Ihe liisl lime wns Hum I'liseiil, ii Sun .Iiieiid.o 
soMicr, iilid he W!IH Jillowed to keep il,. I do iiol. know of niiy 
HurvivorH <d' the e(»iii|»jiny excepi, ('jipliiin M;irks, .liid;/!- S. S. 
Miiii;r(.f ;iiii| .1. \V. Laurence. The Iwo IiihI. were not ori/'imil 
memhers. 

I havi' always hcjicvcd llial every eoiinly should have ;i v<iliin- 
l.eer company, well c(piippcd hy lln' Slalc, ami provulcd .'ilso 
vvilh a lilicral eiic;impiiicnl I'lind. To keep hikIi a ;'iiard well 
onicere<l and I rained i:', /'ood policy on Ihe pari. <d' I he SInlc. 
'I'lie laic war vvilh Spain illiisl. rales Ihe value u\ laidi military 
companies, who on call promptly riislic<| to the dct'cnse of I. ho 
country. Well may 'IVmis he proud u\ her voliinlccr Holdiery. 

huriiif; my ah:-<'nce scoidin;'; (ui the I'ldiilier with Major I'.on- 
iiell, lloiislon's term ol' olllce expired, and I will now note somo 
4d' the princi|iid acts (d' his iidminisl rat ion. 

After lloiislon's ina.iij'iirat ion, the ;iovci-niiienl id' the K'epiih- 
li(! Iiiid heen I horou;;lily or|^iiiii/ed wilh t he various depiirliiienlH; 
l,li(! courts had heen estahlished and tlicir powers delined; n geti- 
(iral land ollici' had heen e;dal)lii lied ; the piililic dchi h;id heen 
consolidiiled and funded; all the islands (d' tlie Uepiihlic, includ- 
ing (Jalvestoii, had heen Hold or oU'ered I'oi' sale. There had liei'll 
Home dispute as to the western lioiindary line u\ the l.'cpiihlic, 
i»ut, ThomiiH .lell'erson (Jreen'H resolution, passed in the lirst ses- 
Hion r)f the l''irsi Con^^rcHH, (Ixed it detinilely at Ihe IMo (irandt!. 
This was a hold pieen of IcKiHJiition, hid. 'I'exiis liaH Hustnineil il 
ever afterwards with her hlood and IreaHure. 'I'lie Cordovii, re- 
hcllioii of MexiciinH and Indians waH HiipprcHscd, leaving';' prori- 
pectB of f)()a(;(! <in that line. I'erhaps the most, Hhar|dy criticised 
net. of llrjuHt.on's lirst, ndmiiiiHiration was the incorporalion of 
Ihe 'I'exas Railroad, Naviffalioii and IJaiikir^f (Company. 'IMiis 
hecame a. law hy his ajiprcnal, and n(»l over his oppoHition, 



92 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



as generally believed. When convinced of his mistake, the Presi- 
dent turned against it and defeated its going into effect by his 
official influence. This company was incorporated in the name 
of Branch T. Archer, James Collingsworth, and their associates 
and assigns. The capital stock was $5,000,000, divided into 50,- 
000 shares of $100 each. 

The signatures of B. T. Archer, James Collingsworth, J. 
Pinckney Henderson, Thos. F. McKinney, and S. F. Austin were 
attached to the petition for the charter. The bill was duly signed 
by President Houston, December 16, 1836. To become effective 
as a law, however, $25,000 in gold or silver had to be paid over 
within eighteen months to the Treasurer of the Eepublic. When 
the required sum was offered in paper, Treasurer Brigham re- 
fused to accept it as a compliance with the law, and thus the 
measure was finally defeated. 

Mirabeau B. Lamar was inaugurated President of the Eepub- 
lic of Texas on December 10, 1838. His private secretary, Mr. 
Thompson, read his inaugural address, much to the disappoint- 
ment of the crowd who had lingered after listening to the elo- 
quent valedictory of President Houston. 

The first cabinet officers announced by the new President were 
Albert Sidney Johnston, Secretary of War, and Barnard E. Bee, 
Secretary of State, both excellent appointments, and confirmed 
at once by the Senate; and after these were successively made 
public the names of Memucan Hunt, Secretary of the Navy; 
Eichard G. Dunlap, Secretary of the Treasury, and Charles Wat- 
rous, Attorney-General. 

This, the Third Congress, in its early days elected General 
Eusk Chief Justice in place of James Collingsworth, deceased. 
The position had been temporarily held by John Birdsall, an ap- 
pointee of President Houston. Texas sustained a great loss this 
winter in the death of John A. Wharton, Congressman from 
Brazoria. Dr. Ashbel Smith, Surgeon-General of the Texan 
army^ was his attending physician. Ex-President D. G. Burnet 
on invitation, delivered before both houses of Congress, his in- 
comparable eulogy beginning with these words : "The keenest 
blade on the field of San Jacinto is broken — the brave, the gen- 
erous, the talented John A. Wharton is no more." 

Very soon after my return my friend Col. Barnard E. Bee, 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 93 



once Houston's Secretary of War and father of Gen. Hamilton 
P. Bee (who was then my clerk), calling upon me reminded me 
of my position toward the election of General Lamar. He gave 
me to understand that my friend Major Simmons would be ap- 
pointed in my place, and advised me to resign. I asked the 
colonel why I was to be displaced. "Is there any thing personal 
against me — any charges of neglect of duty?" "Nothing ; the 
change will be made alone for politics or in consequence of your 
strict adherence to the Houston party." I then said to the 
colonel, "That is entirely satisfactory. When Mr. Simmons 
is duly appointed and qualified, let him call and everything will 
be ready and the office surrendered to him." In a short time 
he appeared, and I retired. 

Gail Borden, the very able and popular old Texan, collector 
of the port of Galveston, was removed for similar reasons and his 
ofhce given to a very elegant old gentleman, a Mr. Koberts, but 
very recently from Alabama. He was the father of one of our 
most distinguished lawyers, Sam Eoberts, of North Texas. 

In a very few days after leaving the comptroller's office I was 
surprised and pleased to find, in the Houston Telegraph what 
an experienced, valuable and efficient man I had been; and I was 
coupled with Gail Borden, the honest, capable, and energetic 
collector of Galveston, two of the very best officers of the Re- 
public removed solely for political reasons; for all of which the 
administration was editorially berated. It may be well to state 
here that the country was divided into the "Houston Party," as 
all adherents of Sam Houston were called, and the "Anti-Hous- 
ton Party." for in those days there were no Democratic or Whigs 
in a party sense in Texas, and elections turned as to the policies 
advocated by Houston and those opposed to him. I believed 
firmly in his policies for the Republic, so in the last election I 
was opposed to Lamar, and thus I was retired from office. 

Very soon I became a granger — that's a modern Oincinnatus 
in his own opinion — retiring to farming and wood-chopping on 
Buffalo Bayou. I rented the historic Allen Vince place, situ- 
ated on the bayou of that name, in which Santa Anna was 
swamped as he attempted to escape from the San Jacinto battle- 
field. T have often seen the fine black horse taken from Vince 
upon which the Mexican general attempted to escape when he 



94 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



was bogged in the soft loam left at the head of tide water, just 
where the much talked of bridge was burned. He then hid in 
the grass until discovered by the men in pursuit, with Sylvester, 
Miles, and Eobinson. 

Now, I didn't take hold of the handle of the plow and have a 
rope tied to the left horn of a little steer not as big as a jack- 
rabbit, according to the picture in the old story book, when the 
senate arrived to beg the great patriot, Cincinnatus, to come and 
save Eome, and I wasn't sent for while I was on the farm, either. 
But I had a fine large ox team, and I drove it with a long whip 
to crack over them, singing out in a stentorian voice "Gee whoa!" 
"haw, Tom!" "Come hack here. Buck!" interlarded witn exple- 
tives that should not fall on polite ears, but were some way very 
persuasive to the oxen to move on. 

Though I did not chop the cord wood, I hauled it to the 
steamboat landing myself. I didn't hill up potatoes, but I 
carried water and watered them. I hired negroes for heavy 
work, and for domestic service I had my Mexican, Antonio. 
He, with two other Mexicans, soon after my coming to Houston 
were farmed out to me by the government. As the Eepublic 
could not afford the expense of guarding and caring for the 
hundreds of prisoners on their hands, they were turned over to 
responsible parties upon the latter giving bond for good treat- 
ment of the prisoners and their safe delivery when demanded. 
I had these men several years, as also a woman. In fact many 
of them chose to remain in the country after their release, being 
quite happy that they were not massacred when they were cap- 
tured. The terror of the privates and the opinion that they 
themselves held of the barbarity of the Mexican officers toward 
our vanquished soldiery voiced itself in the cry they sent up as 
they threw down their arms at San Jacinto, "Me no Alamo! Me 
no Goliad!" 

As a rule they were very tractable and proved of much service 
in our first rough way of living. When we were in our clapboard 
shanty, two years before this, they cooked out of doors for us, 
and once during a remarkable spell of cold weather they saved 
us from suffering. It snowed and froze for several days, and the 
thin walls of our abode were little protection from the biting 
wind. The snow drifted through, and only in the bed under the 



LUBBOCICS MEMOIRS. 95 



thick blankets could we keep warm, and only then could we 
keep the snow out of our faces by the thick cloth of the mosquito 
bar at the top of the improvised canopy. Secure in the service of 
our faithful Mexicans, who foraged and cooked as best they 
could, keeping up a log-heap fire and bringing us our meals to 
the bedside, we snoozed away two days until the storm was over. 
This was an unprecedented spell of weather. But I have gone off 
to my Mexicans when I should be telling of my farm. Well, I 
did work very hard and my wife had Antonio to help her cook ; 
but she brought my dinner to me when I was at work, and I re- 
member well the first time she went out to help milk. She had 
on French kid slippers and silk stockings. The season wore 
on amid fun and hardships, and the crop was gathered. Then 
I chartered a small sloop boat called the William, loaded her 
with my farm truck, and started for Galveston Island with one 
other man on board. We sailed down Buffalo Bayou, out of 
San Jacinto Bay across Clopper's bar in safety, and reached and 
crossed Eed Fish bar ail right. But after crossing Eed Fish bar 
we encountered bad weather. The wind became very heavy, 
and in consequence, I suppose, of bad management — in defiance 
of former experience, I had no old tar along — our vessel upset, 
and the cargo of potatoes and "other produce was dumped into 
Galveston bay. Thus much of the labor of many hard months 
on the farm was all lost. One thing I am sure, it was my first 
and last attempt to move my crop on a vessel under my own 
command. How did I get out? Wh)'', another vessel picked 
me up ; but about that time it seemed to me that my potatoes, 
pumpkins, and truck stuff were of more consequence than myself, 
and they were at the bottom. After that experience, as it was 
beginning to appear that my wood contract was not a paying 
business, it did not take me long to decide against farming. 



96 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



CHAPTER FIYE. 

Our French Naval Visitors in 1838 — Festivities at Houston and Galves- 
ton — The Selection of Austin as the Capital of the Republic — In the 
Commission Business at Houston — General Houston and Bride Our 
Guests — The Canvass of 1840-41 in Harris County and My Election as 
Clerk of the District Court — The Canvass for the Presidency of the 
Republic Between Burnet and Houston and the Election of the Latter 
— Henry Smith Declining to Be a Candidate for Vice-President, Ed 
Burleson Becomes the Running Mate of Houston and Is Elected — The 
Santa Fe Expedition — My Brother Tom a Lieutenant in the Expedi- 
tion — Lamar's Work in the Cause of Education — Expulsion of the 
Cherokees from Texas — Collapse of the Public Credit, and the Begin- 
ning of Retrenchment. 

On his way home from the successful bombardment of San 
Juan d'Ulloa and capture of Vera Cruz, the French Admiral 
Baudin with his fleet visited Texas in May, 1839. The admiral 
himself with an aid came ashore at Velasco, and they were 
escorted by Gen. Thos. J. Green to Colonel Wharton's planta- 
tion, and thence taken in Colonel Groce's carriage in charge of 
Captain Clendenning to the city of Houston. President Lamar 
had gone to Galveston to meet the gallant Frenchman, but soon 
returned, and the admiral and aid were treated with true Texas 
hospitality by the generous people of Houston. After four days 
of festivities the distinguished visitors, attended by many lead- 
ing citizens, took passage in a steamboat down Buffalo Bayou to 
Galveston. Dr. Ashbel Smith did the special honors at Houston 
to these foreign guests, speaking French, to their great delight, 
with the grace of a Frenchman. And it fell upon the courtly 
and learned doctor to point out from the deck of the steamer to 
these fighting Frenchmen the prairie of San Jacinto, where had 
been decided three years before the independence of Texas. Ad- 
miral Baudin in a few days rejoined his fleet of twenty-six 
vessels anchored off the harbor of Galveston. Next a grand ball 
was given on board the flagship Nereide, and the elite of Texan 
society, particularly in Houston and Galveston, were invited. 

The Texan war brig Zavala carried out the Texan ball-goers 
to the Nereide, where was a brilliant concourse of naval officers 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 97 



fresh from their victories at Vera Cruz. Ignorance of each 
others language at first caused some embarrassment between the 
Texan ladies and the gallant Frenchmen, but they soon found a 
common language in the mazes of the dance. The fleet sailed 
for France in May, 1839. The Texans and Frenchmen parted as 
fast friends, and it is certain that Admiral Baudin's favorable 
report on his return home caused the government of France to 
recognize the Texan Republic In a short time England fol- 
lowed in the wake of France, and the Eepublic was safe beyond 
all contingencies. 

During the first year of Lamar's administration and while I 
was on my farm, commissioners appointed by the Third Congress 
selected a site on the then Indian frontier for a permanent 
capital. The point chosen was an eligible spot on the Colorado, 
just where that river emerges from the mountains into the prairie 
region. Gen. Ed. Waller laid out the new town, which was 
called Austin, in honor of "the Father of Texas," made sales of 
town lots, and erected the buildings necessary for the accommo- 
dation of the government, including the capitol, department 
offices, the executive mansion, etc. In October the archives in 
Houston were loaded on thirty wagons and hauled to the new 
capital. The President, with some of his cabinet, was met about 
two miles from Austin by a deputation of citizens, headed by 
Colonel Burleson, welcomed by a speech from Ed. Waller, and 
escorted to the city to Bullock's Hotel. Here the President met 
a large concourse of friends who partook with him of a sump- 
tuous dinner, closing with toasts, drinks, responses, not uncom- 
mon then on such occasions in Texas. 

As before remarked, farming did not pay me, and I returned to 
the city of Houston at the close of the year 1839 and engaged 
in the commission business with James W. Scott, formerly a 
paymaster in the army of Texas, a man of excellent ability and 
unimpeachable integrity. He was afterwards an able represent- 
ative of Harris County in the Legislature. 

We were at that time the only auction and commission mer- 
chants in the city, and received frequent consignments from 
foreign countries as well as from the local trade. Here are some 
advertisements from the Morning Star of March, IS-iO: 



98 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



"SCOTT & LUBBOCK.— A few dozen Choice French Wines 
per French Brig Fils Unique. Hardware, Groceries, Boots and 
Shoes, Lots and Blocks, Tools; 40 to 50,000 feet Lnmher; 12 
bbls. Sugar; 30 sacks Salt; Hams; Havana Segars. 20 sacks 
Coffee, the remainder of the cargo of the schooner Francis, direct 
from Havana." 

Yet while we made a living, it was with great labor and exer- 
tion. I did the auctioneering and my partner Scott did the 
bookkeeping. No one unless he has been an auctioneer can 
appreciate the difficulties of selling property at auction, consist- 
ing of every conceivable thing, from a toothpick to a ship's 
anchor, from a jar of preserves to a hogshead of sugar, and now 
and then a block of lots and a steamboat. 

While following this business with all my vim, I was con- 
stantly on the lookout for something better and it came in due 
time. 

After the adjournment of the Fourth Congress, of which he 
was a prominent member. General Houston, in the spring of the 
same year (18-iO), made an extensive eastern tour. On his return 
to our city in the summer the general, with his beautiful bride, 
nee Margaret MofPett Lea, made a considerable sojourn at our 
home. Fortunately, at the time, we occupied a nice two-story 
building across the bayou, with ample accommodations for our 
distinguished guests. And their visit was heartily welcomed and 
enjoyed by us. 

The canvass of 1840-41 in Harris County was never forgotten 
by those who participated in it. This was my first experience 
as a candidate, as then my soldier friends determined that I 
should come out for the clerkship. 

Outside of the city of Houston my acquaintance was quite 
limited. Wm. K. Wilson, a deputy sheriff, who also made the 
tax assessments over the entire county, was a tried friend of 
mine. He suggested that my going along with him on his 
assessing tour would enable him to give me a large acquaintance, 
and at the proper time it would be an immense advantage in 
the canvass. Accepting his kind office, I procured a small but 
handsome mule of a sorrel color, and in a quiet way left Houston 
with him on his rounds. Upon arriving at an appointed place, 
some "king bee's" house, we would find the tax-paying citizens 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 99 



gathered ready to be assessed. Wilson would spread his books, 
propound the necessary questions, and give the information de- 
sired, while 1 performed the clerical work. He would introduce 
me to every man and woman putting in an appearance, and he 
would whisper to them, "You see what a quick and fine clerk 
Lubbock is? He may be a candidate for district clerk at the 
next election, and if he is you should all support him, for he 
will make us the proper clerk." In this pleasant and unobtru- 
sive manner a large number of voters became my friends before 
January, 1841, when my name was announced. Two strong 
and popular men were already in the field. One was Geo. W. 
Lively, the other Ed. H. Winfield, who had been acting district 
clerk from the organization of the county. 

Canvassing in those days meant travel, labor, excitement, and 
some fun. It was expected that the candidates would visit every 
family outside of the city, and those who were not called on 
really felt slighted, and in some instances would vote against 
a man for not coming to see them. In this canvass, at one 
time while in Houston, Capt. M. E. Gohene, a clever fellow, 
cfliving forty miles from the courthouse, remarked that he in- 
_ tended to give his vote for the various offices to the first candi- 
dates that called on him. The very first time I could leave the 
city without notice to anyone my mule was mounted, and that 
long ride was taken all alone. Gohene was as good as his word; 
he was ever after the friend of Lubbock, and he had influence. 

The candidates for the various offices would start out in com- 
pany sometimes twelve or fifteen strong. They would strike a 
country settlement, dividing out when night came on. They 
were the most accommodating set of fellows in the world — will- 
ing to do anything for the dear people — and it was not infre- 
quent that in staying over night the voter would suggest, "Well, 
boys, I want to go to mill in the morning," and he would give 
them a corn shucking and shelling party during their stay. I 
often think of the difference then and now. At that time it 
was quite customary for the candidates to place with some 
country friend at the neighborhood store a barrel of whiskey 
each. It then cost from eight to ten dollars a barrel, and when 
a voter would come to make purchases, he would be asked to 
take a drink and told whose liquor he drank. In those days, if 



100 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



he took your liquor it was deemed that he was your supporter. 
They say the custom now is to drink the other man's liquor. 1 
know this will appear dreadful to some, but really there was less 
treating and drunkenness then than there is now under the 
present barroom plan. 

A candidate was expected to attend every ball and wedding 
in the county. Generally Lubbock was to be found on hand 
endeavoring to make fair weather with the mothers and their 
girls, knowing that, while not voters, they exercise with sensible 
men a potent influence in elections very naturally. Eacing 
among such expert horsemen was a very popular pastime and of 
course the candidates attended them. My opponent Lively was 
a good business man and fond of fun and popular. He had 
preceded me in going to a race at San Jacinto, a small town in 
Harris County near the battleground. As I rode up in the 
crowd, he pushed forward, and before I could dismount shook 
hands with me, remarking to the people: "There is a man that 
never took a chew of tobacco in his life; he, however, carries his 
saddle bags full for electioneering purposes. Lubbock, give 
me a chew." I replied very seriously: "No, sir; you can not 
get a chew of my tobacco. You should not only have brought 
a full supply for yourself, but for your friends. I have a-plenty 
here." Opening my saddle bags and taking out a package of 
the finest quality, all cut in nice pieces ready for distribution, 
I invited the crowd to pitch in and help themselves. They did 
so with a hurrah and yell for Lubbock that made the prairie 
ring. I then said very gravely: "Lively, you should always 
travel with plenty of tobacco. It gives you an opportunity to 
make acquaintances; for it is at all times permissible to stop a 
stranger and ask for a 'chaw of terbacker' and making acquain- 
tances is what a candidate wishes to do." 

The canvass throughout was a very heated one, particularly 
the contest for sheriff, M. T. Eodgers and Samuel G. Powell be- 
ing the principal contestants. In this, my first race for clerk, 
Lubbock was ahead of Lively, who was next to him with 220 
votes. There were very few votes between Rodgers and Powell 
for sheriff. There was a contest over the last office, and the 
court decided to have the entire ticket revoted for, so that an- 
other active canvass ensued. My mule trotted me through 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 101 



safely. The vote for district clerk stood about the same, and 
Lubbock was declared elected. 

A good office never goes begging, so in the course of time, 
some folks desiring a change, a particular friend of mine after 
many apologies said: "My friends want me to make the race 
for district clerk. I need the office and I suppose I must run. 
They say I am very popular and they believe I can get it. I 
hope it will make no difference with you." I replied, "Certainly 
not, friend Walker; that is your privilege, and it need make 
no difference between us." So the campaign was made. Every 
settlement in the county was worked by both of us for all it 
was worth. Lynchburg was then the strongest box, outside of 
Houston. He had long resided there, and his great friend 
Eodgers, a former sheriff and very popular, lived in that pre- 
cinct and did all he could for his election. Supposing that the 
Lynchburg box might determine the election, Houston was 
given over to our friends and I repaired in person to Lynchburg. 
My opponent, Walker, his friend Rodgers, and others were there 
working unceasingly. I had some of the best workers in the 
county; among them were a few old cattlemen and farmers. At 
the close of the polls the tally list showed nearly 200 votes 
polled. Walker and I both watched every ballot as taken from 
the box with bated breath. I can never forget my excited and 
delighted feeling as "Lubbock," "Lubbock," "Lubbock," came 
from the box until the twenty-fifth ballot, which was for my 
friend and opponent. He had not previously made a remark, 
but as that ballot was read, "For district clerk. Walker," draw- 
ing a long sigh he said: "Well, old fellow, you are a good 
friend, but you were a long time getting out of that box." A 
heavy majority of his home box was for me, and I was again 
elected by a large majority. 

In consequence of annexation to the United States another 
election came on before my second term expired, the terms then 
being for four years. This time "Lubbock had to go." After 
searching the field for a proper man, another good friend of 
mine wanted the office and he was selected to run. That was 
Mr. A. M. Gentry. He was intelligent and stood well in the 
community. A committee of his friends arranged the cam- 
paign work. In their rounds they called on my friend Walker, 



102 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



whom I had defeated before. They began by telling him they 
had selected Gentry to defeat me and they were about to open 
up their plans of campaign. Walker stopped them. "Gentle- 
men, you had better not give me your confidence." ''Why not?" 
they said. "We count on you for your valuable aid; did not 
Lubbock defeat you, and we are making calculations on your 
hearty support." "Well, gentlemen, I rather think I am a 
Lubbock man; he and I have ever been good friends. I was 
persuaded that my popularity was immense, and I was led to 
suppose that I might be elected, and failed." "Yes," said they, 
"but we have the right man this time." Walker replied: "I 
made the race against Lubbock. He was always fair with me. 
Our families and he and I are just as good friends as we were 
before, and I think 1 will vote for him. I have another reason 
— I do not intend to assist any man in doing what I could not do 
myself. I want it understood that I am a popular man in Har- 
ris County, and I never intend to let any man beat Frank 
Lubbock if I can prevent it. I shall vote for him for everything 
he runs for as long as I live." I was again elected and re-elected 
— holding the office for over sixteen years. Walker lived long 
enough to vote for me for several offices. His widow was ever 
one of my best friends. She is a charming lady, and now re- 
sides at Dallas. 

Scott and I, while we were in the firm together, were very 
attentive to our business, and at the same time we took great 
interest in public affairs. Before my first race for district clerk 
was won, I began to think of the presidential candidates. Those 
in power had not carried on the government to the satisfaction 
of our party, and we intended to place Houston again at the 
helm of State. Scott, like myself, was an active politician and a 
great admirer and supporter of General Houston. 

Ex-President Houston and Ex-President Burnet, never very 
good friends and differing widely as to the best public policies, 
were the opposing candidates for the presidency in 1841. Li 
this canvass there was some sectional feeling between the east 
and the west, and much personal asperity between the candi- 
dates themselves. Lamar's administration had been made un- 
popular by the opposing leaders, and Burnet, who had been to- 
wards its close the de, facto President, was made the scapegoat 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS 103 



of the sins of that administration. Besides, Burnet, though a 
genial gentleman, patriot, and scholar, was no match for Hous- 
ton in personal magnetism or oratorical ability, and those quali- 
ties counted much in the political struggles of those times. 
Backed by the populous east, his home, Houston beat Burnet 
by a vote of 7915 to 3G16. 

At a large meeting of the friends of General Houston held in 
the city of Houston pursuant to call, April 15, 18^1, Ur. Alexan- 
der Ewing was called to the chair and Francis E. Lubbock was 
appointed secretary. On motion a committee on resolutions was 
appointed, consisting of Francis R. Lubbock, James W. Scott, 
George Fisher, Dr. Wm. M. Carper, and Dr. C. H. Jaeger. 

Mr. Lubbock reported the following resolutions, which were 
adopted enthusiastically: 

"Whereas, a doubt exists on the part of the political friends 
of General Houston, as to the willingness of the Hon. Henry 
Smith to be considered a candidate for the Vice-Presidency of 
this Eepublic at the election in September next; and 

"Whereas the good of the country requires a union of action 
in regard to the election for Vice-President and the nomination 
of a suitable candidate to be supported for said office with effect 
by the jsolitical friends of Gen. Sam Houston; and 

"Whereas several candidates are already nominated for said 
office; therefore to insure a successful issue to the said election 
by the majority of the friends of General Houston in electing a 
man of their choice as the Vice-President of this Eepublic, who, 
in case of being called by the Constitution to fill temporarily th'e 
executive chair, would pursue the steps and carry out the meas- 
ures of Gen. Houston; therefore, be it 

"Eesolved, That a committee of 101 be appointed by the 
chair to request the Hon. Henry Smith to allow his name to be 
placed before the people as a candidate for the office of Vice- 
President of this Eepublic." 

The committee of 101 waited upon Henry Smith with a copy 
of these proceedings. He replied May 1st, declining to be a 
candidate, and recommending Dr. Anson Jones. But Dr. Jones 
appeared undecided on the subject; and in the summer of 1841, 
Dr. A. Ewing, George Fisher, J. N. Moreland, Thos. G. Western, 
and myself, confiding in the ability and patriotism of Dr. Jones, 



104 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



addressed that gentleman a joint letter urging him to continue 
in the race and make the canvass personally for the Vice-Presi- 
dency; but he finally dropped out of the race, leaving the field 
open to Gen. Ed. Burleson, who, as the Houston candidate, was 
chosen over Memucan Hunt to be Vice-President of the Ke- 
public. 

The Eepublic had many dangers and difficulties to encoun- 
ter through its entire existence. The hostile Indians and Mexi- 
cans had to be provided against with an empty treasury, while 
European recognition was to be constantly sought. The public 
defense was fairly well conducted under the circumstances, and 
the Republic obtained recognition from Erance and the Nether- 
lands. Over the refusal of Congress to sanction it, Lamar dis- 
patched an expedition to Santa Ee. Its object was to extend 
the jurisdiction of Texas over that portion of the Eepublic 
lying east of the upper Eio Grande, our western boundary. If 
the people of that region vv'ere willing, the authority of Texas 
was to be established; for which purpose William G. Cooke, 
Dr. Brenham, and J. IST. Navarro attended as commissioners. 
Should the people there be found hostile, the expedition would 
return after disposing of the merchandise carried along for 
trade. 

The expedition consisted of about 300 men, with several wag- 
ons and one piece of artillery as a defense against hostile Indians. 
The commander was Gen. Hugh McLeod, a West Pointer. The 
party got bewildered and lost, and finally reached the vicinity 
of Santa Fe in a starving condition and the whole force was 
betrayed into a shameful surrender to a Mexican army by one 
Captain Lewis, whose treachery appeared later on. 

My brother Tom, ever ready to volunteer in the cause of his 
country was first lieutenant in the Santa Ee Pioneers, of which 
Eadcliff Hudson was captain and Volney Ostrander second lieu- 
tenant. Tom's sketch of the expedition is found in the appen- 
dix, with account of the sufferings of the prisoners and his own 
escape from a prison in the City of Mexico. 

Lamar called the attention of the Third Congress to the 
clause of the Constitution on education; and on his recom- 
mendation a portion of the public lands was set aside for public 
schools and a university. This was perhaps Lamar's most popu- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 105 



lar official act, and it is well appreciated in this day of great 
advancement on educational lines from common schools to our 
great State University, inclusive. The Texans at the very birth 
of the Republic were mindful of the importance of an educa- 
tional system. But no step had been before taken to put into 
effect this provision of the Constitution. 

Houston's treaty with the Cherokees, recognizing their right 
to the soil, had never been ratified by the Texas Senate. Had 
it been, however, the subsequent Cherokee rebellion, suppressed 
by General Rusk while Houston was President, would have ab- 
solved the Texans from its obligations. In 1839 a small party 
of Mexicans were attacked and routed on Brushy Creek, near 
Austin, and among their effects were found papers disclosing a 
treaty made at Matamoros between certain Cherokee chiefs and 
the Mexicans for an unceasing wax against Texas. Lamar 
promptly ordered Gen. A. S. Johnston, the Secretary of War, to 
take steps for the immediate expulsion of the Cherokees from 
the Republic. Generals Rusk and Douglass marched with their 
forces to the Cherokee country; but before resorting to force, a 
commission consisting of General Johnston himself, ex-Presi- 
dent Burnet, I. W. Burton, and James S. Mayfield conferred 
with the Cherokee chiefs, offering to pay the Indians for their 
improvements, but insisting on their exit from the country. On 
their refusal of these terms, the Indians were attacked and 
routed, leaving in their flight their head chief, Bowles, dead on 
the field. Rid of these treacherous enemies on the Sabine fron- 
tier, Texas was now better enabled to guard against attacks on 
the Mexican line. 

The close of Lamar's administration witnessed an utter col- 
lapse of the finances and credit of the Republic, and an immense 
public debt. Distrusting the financial system adopted in preced- 
ing administrations, Lamar had urged upon Congress a money 
system of his own devising, but it failed to be adopted. In 
apprehension of the inevitable collapse, many offices were abol- 
ished or much reduced in importance. The Navy Department 
shrunk into a bureau in charge of one clerk in the War Office. 
The Postal Department dwindled into a bureau styled the Gen- 
eral Postoffice, in charge of a clerk in the office of the Secretary 
of State. The office of Stock Commissioner fell off to a bureau 



106 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



styled the Stock Office, in charge of a clerk in the Treasury De- 
partment. The oflices of the First and Second Auditors were 
consolidated. The offices of Quartermaster-General, Commis- 
sary-General, Surgeon-General, Adjutant, and Inspector-Gen- 
eral, were all abolished and their duties devolved upon two clerks 
in the War Office. The line officers also in the army and navy 
were greatly reduced in number. But this tardy reform was not 
far-reaching enough, A new and better financial system was re- 
quired. The truth is, the Republic, with her less than 50,000, 
had always been top-heavy in officialism, by trying to follow the 
example of the United States with their 15,000,000 souls. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 107 



CHAPTEE SIX. 

Some Notable Men of the Republic: W. H. Wharton, E. S. C. Robert- 
son, Edward Burleson, R. M. Williamson, Robert Wilson, Richard 
Ellis, Henry Smith, Emory Raines, Dr. Alexander Ewing, Thos. F. 
McKinney, Sam M. Williams, and Wm. L. Hunter. 

William H. Wharton was a prominent figure when I came to 
Texas. He was a son-in-law of Jared Groce, a lawyer of promi- 
nence, a man of fine address, and one of the early commission- 
ers to the United States to negotiate a loan to carry on the war. 
He had at that early day a comfortable home and plantation 
a few miles from Velasco, in Brazoria County. His door was 
ever open to the stranger, and he and his estimable wife dis- 
pensed to all the greatest hospitality. Colonel Wharton was 
Minister to the United States in 1836, when Santa Anna was in 
Washington. On his return to Texas his vessel and passengers 
were captured by the Mexicans. But he escaped after wonderful 
adventures. 

Colonel Wharton was a Virginian, coming to Texas in 1829. 
He was killed in 1839 by the accidental discharge of his pistol. 
He was a member of the Senate during the Second Congress, 
and I shall never forget a scene I witnessed there. Some meas- 
ure was being discussed with great earnestness. Senator Whar- 
ton was one of the principal debaters. Senator John Dunn, an 
old and elegant man, representing Eefugio, San Patricio, and 
Goliad — the last the place where the illustrious Fannin and his 
men had been massacred — was opposing the views of Wharton 
and appeared to annoy the senator considerably. In a replica- 
tion made by Wharton to the remarks of Dunn, the senator be- 
came quite excited, and alluded to the fact that he (Dunn) 
represented nobody on that floor; that he believed he was there 
elected to the Senate by some three votes, and very patronizingly 
wished to know whom he represented. Senator Dunn replied 
with all the enthusiasm and fire of an Irish patriot. He alluded 
to the safety of the gentleman's territory and his home, their 
prosperity, their population, and freedom from invasion, and 
then contrasted the condition of his unfortunate locality, their 



lOS LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



sufferings and privations, their people slaughtered by the Mexi- 
cans, and closed by saying: "I will have this Senate and the 
proud and arrogant senator from Brazoria to understand that 
I stand here representing the bones of the martyred and un- 
buried dead." 

The speech made a lasting impression upon me, and its effect 
on the Senate was to sustain the senator who was elected by 
three votes and represented the bones of th lamented Colonel 
Fannin and his men, and of many other gallant patriots who 
resisted the invasion of Urrea. 

History gives a touching account of the interment of the vic- 
tims of the Goliad massacre by General Rusk and Gen. Sidney 
Sherman when they followed the Mexican retreating army out 
of the country, while Santa Anna was still a captive. In their 
graves they are speaking yet, just as their bones were repre- 
sented in the Senate in the days of the Republic. 

E. S. C. Robertson was a man of mark, and stood out promi- 
nently as a hardy and intelligent pioneer. He was one of the 
early empresarios, a Tennesseean, and settled what was known 
as Robertson's Colony. It seems that Robertson first came from 
Tennessee to Texas in 1823, but returned and did not come back 
as an empresario till 1830. He had much trouble with the 
Mexican government in carrying out his contract for colonizing 
his territory. Yet he ultimately succeeded, locating many fami- 
lies, for which he received large and valuable grants of land. 
Colonel Robertson was a senator in the First Congress. He was 
quick, earnest, and positive in speech and action, not particu- 
larly observant of parliamentary law and rules. I remember 
happening in the Senate in the midst of some discussion, when 
a senator quite vociferously called Senator Robertson to order. 
He paid no attention to the call. The senator continuing to in- 
terrupt his speech by cries of "Order ! Order !" he stopped his 
speech but continued to address the president of the Senate, 
saying: "Mr. President, I am called to order. I do not know 
that I am out of order, but this I do know, I will not come to 
order at the command of the gentleman. But, Mr. President, if 
you will just knock that little hammer down on me, I will squat 
like a partridge." 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 109 



Mr. Eobertson died in the county which bears his name in the 

spring of 1843. 

General Burleson, of San Jacinto fame, and well known both 
before and after the war for independence as a brave Indian 
fighter, was first in the House and then in the Senate before he 
was elected Vice-President. 1 remember well the earnestness and 
force with which he one day attacked Rusk, one of the giants 
of the House. He had up before the House a bill donating lands 
to the soldiers. He had gained Rusk's promise to the support of 
his bill, but when it was brought in and Rusk had time to think 
over the matter in all its bearings, he not only voted against it, 
but gave his reasons as a statesman why he could not support 
it. This was enough to move the ire of any man, and Burleson's 
towered high. In his indignation he coined words and rolled 
them out to express his contempt of the gentleman from Nacog- 
doches for "backing out" of his promise, and he carried the 
House against Rusk that time. General Burleson was univer- 
sally recognized as one of the first men of Texas. While not 
well educated (he would murder the king's English some- 
times), his good strong sense and excellent judgment and pa- 
triotism were acknowledged by all, and he was in his day and 
time strong with the masses. As a candidate for the presidency 
against Anson Jones, the last President of the Republic, his 
prospects of success were known to be good, and had not General 
Houston just before the election publicly declared for Jones, 
throwing his influence and many of his influential friends to 
him, there is little doubt that Burleson would have been Presi- 
dent in 1844. Perhaps no man in Texas at that period had 
more military experience than Burleson. He commanded the 
army at the capture of Bexar in 1835 and led the First Regi- 
ment at San Jacinto. He was born in North Carolina in 1798, 
and died at Austin, December, 1857. 

Hon. R. M. Williamson, known as "Three-legged Willie," of 
the First Congress, was a striking character, and would at once 
impress you with the fact that he was no ordinary man. You 
were drawn to him by his fine powers of conversation and his 
brilliant wit. His wonderful satire and his power of sarcasm 



IJO LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



were at times withering, although his nature seemed genial and 
kind. In Congress he was recognized as an honest legislator, 
an able debater, a good lawyer, and an efficient judge. At times 
he was full of fun, had many amusing passages with his brother 
members, and was always respected and popular. During his 
term there were three Jones' in the body : John B. Jones of Gal- 
veston, a prominent lawyer and an upright man and judge, was 
a large man and had an immense foot; William E. Jones, also a 
distinguished lawyer and judge, was impulsive, earnest, and ex- 
citable; the other was Simon L. Jones, a rattling, jovial, kind- 
hearted son of the Emerald Isle. Judge Williamson in debate 
pleasantly spoke of his honest, big-footed friend Jones of Gal- 
veston, his fiery friend Jones of Gonzales, and his hell-roaring 
friend Jones of San Patricio. 

Williamson came to Texas from Georgia in 1827, was alcalde 
in 1834, a member of the Consultation in 1835, district judge 
the next year, and a member of Congress in 1840. He died in 
Wharton County in December, 1859. 

Eobert Wilson, senator from the district of Harrisburg and 
Liberty counties, was one of the earliest settlers of Harrisburg, 
on Buffalo Bayou. He is supposed to have brought the first 
steamboat, the Cayuga, that navigated Galveston Bay. He was 
also interested in the first steam sawmill in the country. This 
was destroyed by Santa Anna as his army passed down to San 
Jacinto. While in the Senate, and at a time when the finances 
of the country were in a very bad condition, certain banks in 
Mississippi made propositions to loan Texas their bank issue, 
and the matter was discussed in secret session. Senator Wilson 
opposed the proposition, denouncing the banks as in a failing 
condition, and asserting that Texas would be swindled if she 
borrowed and put their money into circulation. He was an up- 
right, enterprising citizen, and had acquired large properties in 
this section, and being a business man was a representative of 
that class. So while he was hot under the collar at the prospect 
of the threatened financial ruin, he used very unparliamentary 
language toward his brother senators, and, defying the sergeant- 
at-arms, made quite a scene, and afterwards on the outside, be- 
ing a jovial companion and great talker, said too much about 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. HI 



what was going on in secret session. For these reasons, which 
the records of the Senate will show, he was arraigned and his 
seat declared vacant. The people of Houston and his district 
generally became indignant at his expulsion, and when an elec- 
tion was ordered to fill the vacancy in ten days, by an over- 
whelming vote they returned "Honest Bob," as he was famil- 
iarly called. On the day that he was to take his seat his con- 
stituents procured a large carriage, seated the senator-elect in 
it, and, ignoring horses, pulled it by hand to the capitol amid 
the shouts and hurrahs of the multitude. He stood up in the 
carriage to make them a little speech before he should enter, and 
in conclusion he said : "My friends, you make me a great man 
in spite of myself." He was then borne from the carriage upon 
their shoulders into the capitol, when the sergeant-at-arms 
again tried his hands upon him, being ordered by the president 
of the Senate to arrest Mr. Wilson and the person who played 
the bugle and the ringleaders of the mob that were interrupting 
the Senate in its deliberations. He was not brought before the 
Senate under arrest, however, until next day, when the sheriff, 
to whom a writ had been directed, brought up the prisoners. 
The ringleaders were sentenced to imprisonment for one day 
and Mr. Wilson to a reprimand. Then it was all over and the 
senator-elect took his seat, and, as in the years past, went on 
legislating for the country. 

Upon one occasion, being asked if he really deserved the ap- 
pellation of "Honest Bob," Senator Wilson replied: "I am al- 
ways as honest as the circumstances of the case and the condi- 
tion of the country will allow." 

After the Houston party failed to place a candidate in the 
field against General Lamar for the presidency, Mr. Wilson, as 
usual deciding for himself, became a candidate just before the 
electfon. A party of gentlemen, I among the number, were 
questioning him as to his policy should he be elected, and said : 
"Tell us, please, with whom will you surround yourself as ad- 
visers in case of your election?" He replied: "It would cer- 
tainly be indelicate and indiscreet to make an intimation, but," 
waving his hand around the circle, remarked, "Should I be 
elected, rest satisfied it would be just such men as you that I 
would call around me." This time he was as honest as the cir- 



112 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



cumstances of the case and the condition of the country would 
allow. 

Mr. Wilson came to Texas in 1838, participated in the cap- 
ture of Bexar, and died in Houston in 1856. 

In the journals of the Senate is recorded an incident illus- 
trating the chaotic condition of the northeastern boundary line 
of Texas and the difficulties in the way of establishing a govern- 
ment on a substantial basis. They had to cut out of whole cloth 
without knowing how many yards the bolt contained. It relates 
to the Hon. Eichard Ellis of Eed Eiver. 

A protest against the vote that seated Mr. Ellis was sent in 
by Senators William H. Wharton, John Dunn, I. W. Burton, 
and S. H. Everett, who wished to record why they voted against 
the seating of the senator from Eed Eiver, "that posterity and 
all the world may know the course we have taken in this matter 
and the motives which induced it. We protest, first, on the 
grounds that the United States of the North exercise at this 
moment actual and exclusive jurisdiction, civil and military, 
over the country which the honorable gentleman claims to rep- 
resent," etc., etc. ; "secondly, we protest against said seat on the 
ground that the county of Eed Eiver has never been organized 
in accordance with the requisition of the laws of the Eepublic," 
etc., etc. ; "thirdly, we solemnly protest on the ground that we 
are not fully satisfied that the honorable gentleman is a citizen 
of this Eepublic." 

After all this, Mr. Ellis took a prominent part in the proceed- 
ings of the Senate, was even made president, and to-day we 
know, if these four intelligent contemporaries did not, that he 
represented a garden spot in Texas. 

Mr. Ellis represented Eed Eiver in the convention that de- 
clared the independence of Texas, and, moreover, he was presi- 
dent of that body. It would appear that these objections to 
recognizing Eed Eiver County as a part of the Eepublic were 
presented rather late. 

Mr. Ellis came to Texas from Alabama in 1833, was a mem- 
ber of the First Congress, and died in 1849. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



113 



As Comptroller during Houston's first term. I was closely 
connected with, the Treasury Department, the head of which, 
was Gov. Henry Smith. He was not only one of the earliest 
advocates of Texan independence, but he was in the first clash 
of arms at Velasco. He was elected Governor of the Provi- 
sional Government by the Consultation previous to the govem- 




HENRY SMITH. 



ment >n.d interim under President Burnet. Smith, was a presi- 
dential candidate in 1836 with Austin and Houston, but re- 
ceived only a nominal vote. By President Houston he was ap- 
pointed Secretary of the Treasury, serving the entire term. 

He gave me several evidences of his friendship, particularly 
at the time I wished to go on the Bonnell expedition. The Presi- 
dent consulted with him as Secretary of the Treasury, and he 
promptly consented to my having a leave of absence. 

My intimate association with Governor Smith led me to ad- 



114 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



mire his sterling worth, his pronounced patriotism, and his abil- 
ity as an executive officer. 

Smith was a native Kentuckian, but came from Missouri to 
Texas in 1821 ; was a school teacher in Brazoria County, 1827- 
1830; a member of the Convention in 1833. In 1849 he emi- 
grated to California, where he died in 1853. 

Emory Eaines represented the counties of Shelby and Sabine 
in the Senate of the Second and Third Congresses. I remember 
him as a tall, dark, angular, and muscular man, presenting the 
appearance of a sturdy frontiersman. He was one of our early 
congressmen who did not have the advantage of an education 
in his boyhood, many of them being college men. Like Andy 
Johnson, however, he married an intelligent lady, who taught 
nim to read. But he certainly possessed shrewdness, intelli- 
gence, and energy, as he was elected to Congress over an able 
and popular competitor; and, besides serving on several other 
committees, finally becaane chairman of the judiciary commit- 
tee, and the Senate then included among its members such men 
as W. H. Wha,rton, Ellis, Everett, and Eobertson. 

Eaines voted "No" so uniformly as to excite notice, and when 
questioned as to the reason, replied that if a measure proved 
popular no one cared to investigate the negative vote, but if it 
turned out to be unpopular, those on the negative side would 
win renown for statesmanship. A politician's idea this, not yet 
wholly extinct. As most of the legislation of the world has al- 
ways been and is now bad, the negative is the safer side. 

Judge Eaines was an alcalde under the Mexican regime, and 
hence his English title of judge. He always claimed to be the 
author of the homestead exemption law. In later years he 
dropped the "e" in his name, spelling it "Eains." He came to 
Texas in 1818 from Tennessee, settling in the Sabine country. 
He died in the little county that bears his name in 1878. 

Dr. Alexander Ewing, surgeon-general of the army of the 
Eepublic of Texas, located in Houston at an early day. An 
Irishman, young, handsome, black-haired and blue-eyed, of fine 
presence, a graduate of the Edinburgh Medical School, he was 
kind, liberal, active, and devoted to his profession, and soon en- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 115 



deared himself to the people of our city. He was our family 
physician from the time he arrived. 

It was he who told me of the necessity or great advantage 
of taking coffee before going out into the dew or early morning 
air in the malarial district. He said: "Always take coffee as 
soon as you rise, and give it to your negroes if they are to go to 
the field before eating their breakfast. Do this, and you will 
never have chills and fever." For more than fifty years I have 
pursued this course, and have never had chills and fever in my 
family, although living the most of that time upon the coast of 
Texas. 

During his lifetime that terrible scourge yellow fever fre- 
quently visited our coast. In the days I am speaking of it was 
ver}' severe at Houston. His practice was extensive in those 
times of distress, even burdensome. The unacclimated, or the 
largest number of those able to do so, would flee from the in- 
fected districts, leaving behind only those who were acclimated 
or determined to brave it out. Hence it was that all who were 
not afraid of the disease were called upon for assistance. At 
such times, having a good horse, I would place myself at the 
disposal of my doctor, go with him, receive the prescriptions, 
have them put up by the apothecary, and distribute them to the 
various patients. No one unless he has passed through a 3^ellow 
fever epidemic can appreciate the distress attending it. At 
times more than half of the population were suffering with the 
fever, with death rate running from 25 to 50 per cent of the 
population. Sometimes entire families were swept away. In 
one epidemic, nine cases out of ten of the patients after a few 
hours became entirely delirious, requiring the greatest care and 
watchfulness to keep them in their beds. The general disposi- 
tion was to rise and run from the house, and in most instances 
where they took cold they would die. 

For a long time, however, with quarantine laws strictly en- 
forced, it would seem that our State is free from the dreaded 
disease. Since 1867 we have been free from a yellow fever epi- 
demic in Houston and Galveston. The more extensive use of 
cistern water no doubt deserves some of the credit for this im- 
provement as well as quarantine and sanitary measures, for 
when we had yellow fever in the country it was much lighter 



116 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



where it was used instead of other water. In these times of dis- 
tress I was near Dr. Ewing, and learned to appreciate the ad- 
mirable traits of the man, and I loved him devotedly. 

At the time of his death in Houston I was not aware that my 
friend was seriously ill. At the very hour I was in the court- 
house delivering an address before the Masonic fraternity, one of 
our brothers entered and announced the death of Dr. Ewing, a 
brother Mason and a member of our lodge. I was greatly 
affected by the sudden, unexpected, and sorrowful intelligence, 
and at once went off in an impromptu eulogy on the man I loved 
so well, and sat down. 

After the ceremonies Mrs. Judge Peter W. Gray, a most in- 
telligent and accomplished lady, said to me : "Your effort on 
Dr. Ewing's death is what I call true eloquence." It was the 
first time I had ever been told that I could say anything elo- 
quent. I appreciated it very much, emanating from the source 
it did. Dr. Ashbel Smith succeeded Dr. Ewing as surgeon- 
general of the Texan army in the summer of 1837. 

Col. Thomas F. McKinney, of the firm of McKinney & Wil- 
liams, was a large merchant at Quintana in the early days. He 
was a Kentuckian, but came from Missouri to Texas, and he 
was indeed a patriotic Texan. A brave, high-spirited man, his 
whole soul was in the cause of the Eepublic. He and his part- 
ner, S. M. Williams, aided most materially in sustaining the 
government in her darkest financial troubles. 

It was with them that I found my brother, T. S. Lubl:)ock, 
at work upon my arrival, and I made their establishment the 
storage place for my merchandise. Thus he was one of my first 
acquaintances. I found him a pleasant companion and hospita- 
ble, malting everyone welcome that visited him. He was an un- 
excelled marksman with his old-time Kentucky rifle. I was 
struck with his quickness and accuracy while making a trip with 
him. He was the first person that I ever saw shooting squirrels 
through the head with a rifle while running. He was also a 
superior horseman, and, like all Kentuckians, fond of fine 
horses. He bred during his later years fine blooded animals for 
the turf. He was held in great esteem by those who knew him 
best. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 117 



McKinney once represented Travis County in the Legislature. 
He died on Onion Creek, in that count}', in 1873. 

Sam M. Williams, of the firm of McKinney & Williams, was a 
native of Baltimore. He was Austin's Colonial Secretary, and 
performed his duties to the almost universal satisfaction. Later 
he formed a partnership with Thomas F. McKinney, and this 
firm was the mainstay of the Republic in her early financial 
struggles. Williams was the first and only president of "The 
Commercial and Agricultural Bank of Galveston,"' beginning in 
1846. He died in 1858 at Galveston. 

Judge William L. Hunter, a native of Virginia, came to 
Texas in 1835 with the New Orleans Grays. My brother, T. S. 
Lubbock, and himself formed a close friendship in their soldier 
days which lasted through life. He came to Houston soon after 
I located there, and through my brother's fondness for him I 
became well acquainted with and much attached to him. From 
his mouth I received an account of the horrible butchery of Fan- 
nin and his men at Goliad. He was one of the eighteen belong- 
ing to the New Orleans Grays who had joined Fannin at that 
place, and one of the two of that number who escaped from it 
with his life. 

There this brave commander, surrounded by difficulties, strug- 
gled for weeks to do his duty in protecting the settlers' families, 
in furnishing a base for the detachments sent out on various 
expeditions, and in supporting the line, § part of which was 
formed by the gallant defenders of the Alamo. They deter- 
mined "never to surrender nor retreat," and had thrown down 
the gauntlet of defiance to their enemies, and with an appeal for 
aid to their friends, awaited the issue. 

Travis took orders from Gov. Henry Smith, and Fannin from 
the Council ; but the same spirit animated both — the spirit to do 
or die for their country in this her sorest hour of need. 

Santa Anna, threatening direst vengeance, with his army had 
entered Texas through Presidio on his way to San Antonio, and 
on the 23d of February of this year, 1836, had summoned the 
garrison of the Alamo to surrender. General Urrea through 
Matamoros had marched one division along the coast toward 



118 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Goliad, capturing San Patricio on the 28tli of Februar3^ From 
this place came the first news of his invasion to Fannin, and 
just about the same time the arrival of Col. James Butler Bon- 
ham brought to him the message of the terrible extremity of the 
garrison in the Alamo. He had more to do than man could 
accomplish with his resources. He sent detachments out to look 
after families. He essayed to go to the relief of Travis, when his 
gun carriage broke down and he was delayed until he received 
the news of the further advance of General Urrea, who was visit- 
ing summary vengeance upon all detachments captured, scarcely 
leaving a man to tell the tale. Making at one and the same time 
preparations to receive an attack upon Goliad and to retreat 
from the place, he heard of the fall of the Alamo, and fought 
with desperation when he was attacked just outside of the town 
at Colito by Urrea's men in great force. Wounded in the battle 
and compelled to surrender, he made good terms under the cir- 
cumstances, which were that his men should be treated as pris- 
oners of war, the privates sent to the United States, and the ofh- 
cers paroled. 

After an imprisonment of several days in the old mission at 
Goliad, the privates were marched out on Sunday, March 27th, 
to be sent off to their homes, as they thought, when to their 
horror they discovered it was to be shot by order of Santa Anna, 
with the entire command, officers and inen, about four hun- 
dred in number. Those who were not killed were very few, and 
Hunter's escape was miraculous under the circumstances. He 
had passed through the fiery ordeal as one of the volunteers in 
the storming of Bexar and capture of Cos' command. He was 
cool and brave, and promptly made up his mind what to do. 
The Mexicans generally aimed very high and their guns were 
not very true. Counting on this, he determined when the firing 
began, to fall as if shot, taking the chances. He lay as dead, in- 
tending after night set in, if not injured, to escape from the 
field of slaughter. The Grays had not been long from New 
Orleans, and were well clothed. He had on a good black silk 
cravat. The Mexicans relieved him of his boots and then took 
a fancy to his cravat, and as they proceeded to untie it, he, 
thinking they were about to cut his throat, drew a quick breath. 
Immedately they cried "No muerto ! No muerto !" (not dead, not 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 119 



dead), and at once eoninienced bayoneting him. He still played 
dead on them, and they, after inflicting thirteen distinct wounds 
upon his body, left him for dead. After dark, not being able to 
stand and walk, he crawled away from the field of blood. After 
great suffering, and with nothing to eat, living only on the dew 
from the grass, on the third day he reached a house, where he 
was cared for and ultimately recovered. He said to me, "Frank, 
I will never try to 'play possum' again.'" 

He settled at Goliad, near the scene of the dreadful slaughter 
from which he so miraculously escaped, and was at one time a 
representative from Goliad and for years the county judge of 
that county. 



120 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



CHAPTEE SEVEN. 

Method of Business in the Clerk's Office — My Fondness for Horses — 
Purchase of a Ranch and Stocliing It — Removal to My Ranch in 1847 
— Our Neighbors — Agricultural Work and Stockraising — A Round- 
up, Incidents in the Life of a Cowboy — The Laziest Man in Texas — 
My Negro Stockmen — As a Cattle Baron — The Cattle Trade Then 
and Now. 

On entering upon my duties as district clerk of Harris County 
I determined to give the office strict attention, to gain tlie ap- 
proval of the people, the confidence of the presiding judge, and 
the friendship of the lawyers, at that early day, as novi^, a very 
strong class of men. They came from many other counties, and 
even from foreign governments. I also laid down the rule that I 
would never shave or speculate in a witness' or juror's certificate. 
If the county could not pay the cash someone else might do the 
shaving; and I would never sell property for my fees. Neither 
would I send a man to prison because of his failure to pay them. 
In a word, as I was opposed upon principle to an officer specu- 
lating in any way in the things presenting themselves by reason 
of his office, I decided to do nothing of the kind. This rule I 
have strictly observed in every position I have occupied through 
life. Further, as I have always felt that the people conferred 
position on me and enabled me to provide for myself and family 
by my labor for them, I would endeavor to treat them generously 
under all circumstances. I spent my own money liberally, but 
I was extravagant in horses. Sometimes I would hear this from 
enemies, and at times my friends would badger me on the subject. 
There was in Houston a good, honest carpenter, Tom Bailey, 
who opposed my election upon the ground that when comp- 
troller I put on style and closed my office promptly at 4 p. m., 
and no one could have business attended to later. The fact was 
he did considerable fitting up about the capitol and he would 
come after office hours, while that summer I was living about 
four miles in the country, and generally closed the office and 
left town promptly at 4 p. m., and he was disappointed a time 
or two in getting his accounts approved. So he would sa}^ 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 121 



"Don't vote for Lubbock. He will Ijuy him a horse and buggy, 
put on style, and if you are a few minutes after time you will 
never get your work done." 

However, Bailey was mistaken. My business was attended to 
promptly and well, and if I spent money on horses it was my 
own money, and if I did ride them it was in my own time and not 
in the people's. But my weak point was horses, and in that 
direction I was prodigal. At the time I was on my Allen Vince 
farm I owned a $500 horse. I remember one day riding him 
into Houston and coming on a knot of our business men, all 
friends of mine— W. J. Hutchings, T.W. House, B. A. Shepherd, 
John Kennedy, and others. I saluted them and dismounted. 
We engaged at once in a rambling, friendly talk. Shepherd 
said: "Well, Frank, you will ride a fine horse. The fact is you 
ride a horse good enough for a rich man." I spoke up: "Yes, 
gentlemen, but you know we all have our little weaknesses. 
Some men throw away their money on unfortunate speculations, 
some on cards, some on wine, some on women, and some on 
horses. I spend mine on fine horses. I love them, and make them 
useful. I acknowledge, my friends, that I have sometimes come 
up to town on that very horse bringing my wallets with me to 
take back two or three dollars' worth of sugar and coffee and 
flour, and have gone back with them empty, as I failed in collec- 
tions, and did not wish to let you know I was so bad off as to ask 
you to put so small an amount on your books. I would have 
been willing to call on you and you would have been only too 
glad to credit me for a barrel of flour or sugar or a sack of coffee; 
but that amount would have broken up your stock. So you see 
I was prudent for myself and considerate to you when I did not 
ask you for so much." 

These men were all ray good friends, and they appreciated the 
joke about their limited capital. By prudence and intelligence, 
strict attention to business, and unimpeachable integrity, they 
soon were in the first rank of business men. They all became 
wealthy, lived respected and beloved, and died regretted by the 
people who knew them. Wiliam M. Eice got his start in 
business about the same time with them, and today he is endow- 
ing a magnificent library for the city where more than a half 
century ago he came to seek his fortune. 



122 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



I must sjjeak of our life on a ranch and why I became a 
ranchero during the time of my clerkship. After February, 
1841, there was much litigation, and while the fees were quite 
liberal money was very scarce, so that in 1846 there was due the 
clerk's ofhce a large amount. Upon presentation of their costs 
bill the farmers and stockraisers would tender cows, ponies, hogs, 
and sheep in payment. The question then occurred to me, what 
could a man living in the town do with such things ? To avail 
anything, land suitable for a ranch must be secured. 

Upon consultation with my friend, Judge Andrew Briscoe, I 
purchased of him, as the agent of the Harris heirs, about 400 
acres of land at 75 cents per acre, on the south side of "Simms' 
Bayou," and six miles from the city of Houston. After deciding 
to start a ranch, the subject was opened up to my friend Judge 
Patrick C. Jack, the presiding judge over the court of which I 
was clerk. He was quite disgusted with the cattle business, 
owing to the fact that the early settlers had many law- 
suits, both criminal and civil, in consequence of the cattle run- 
ning so much on a common range, and the crimination and 
recrimination in regard to branding them. Thus when he dis- 
cussed my contemplated enterprise he had many objections to 
urge against it. After giving many reasons why I should not 
embark in the business he said: "Lubbock, you are a young 
man; your reputation is good; you are getting along remarkaWy 
well; you are popular, with no breath of scandal against you. 
Go into the cattle business, and in less than six months you will 
be charged with stealing cattle and branding calves not your 
own, and you will not only be charged with it, but very likely 
they will prove it on you. Do not go into it; the business is 
not respectable." After rebutting his arguments as thoroughly 
as I could I finally said : "I believe, judge, I will go into the 
business to give it respectability." 

So that enterprise was put on foot. I hired an intelligent boy, 
Henry Dillard, for my stockman, put up a cabin on my land, 
and at once commenced stocking it in a small way with the cattle 
which the farmers and others very promptly tendered. 

At the first court after starting the ranch there was a large 
number of indictments brought in. After being first submitted 
to the judge they were handed to the clerk for filing. After 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 123 



court adjourned, the Judge playfully remarked to the lawyers 
and bystanders, '*l)id you notice how anxious and nervous the 
clerk appeared to-day while examining the bills presented by the 
grand jury? It seemed to me that he feared he might discover 
his name in the batch." 

I was of course quite gratified to find no bill against F. R. 
Lubbock, and I am still more gratified to say, after running 
the business for over twenty years, that I never did have a dis- 
agreement with a neighbor growing out of a cattle transaction. 

A deputy clerk was necessary, and I devoted all my spare time 
to my interest on the ranch where my stock keeper was in charge. 
Then, an opportunity presenting itself, I traded my residence in 
Houston for a stock of cattle and in 1847 we removed to the 
ranch permanently. 

Very soon I had a comfortable and desirable home. The 
place was so well improved by good buildings, fencings, barns, 
pens, lots, and pastures (I put up a chicken house that cost 
$1500), that strangers would remark that some industrious 
Yankee must own the place, and were much surprised when they 
would be told he was a Southern man, an early comer to Texas. 
So much for a city boy, that took to ranching. 

The little town of Harrisburg, scarce three miles away, gave 
us a pleasant set of neighbors, and at Houston our acquaintance 
was large and our friends knew they were always welcome. We 
had plenty of good country fare — milk, curds, claBber, good fresh 
butter, while all the world was telling that we had prairies 
full of cattle and not a drop of milk, and plenty of berries in 
season, such things as city people love to get for a change. It 
made a ride out to Lubbock's attractive, and really it was an 
exception when we sat down to table without company. 

This ranch was located on a line of travel from Houston to 
Galveston and to many ranches in Harris and Brazoria Counties, 
and though not on a county road it w^as passed daily by many 
people. The largest number were ranchmen, and of course were 
always welcome' at our place — hence we had much company of 
that character. This entertaining w^as mutual, as it was custom- 
ary for the cattlemen in their rounds to visit and camp with each 
other. But the latch string was always on the outside to all 



124 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



comers, and no traveler ever stopped without having his horse 
and himself taken care of free of charge. 

I enjoyed living in the country and riding to and fro to attend 
to court matters, and unless something very urgent required 
me to remain in the city! returned home at night, even if I had 
to encounter a rough trip, which was quite often. 

Simms' Bayou, upon the south side of which my improvements 
were located, was very boggy, and in consequence 1 kept upon 
it what is known as a ground bridge. The country around was 
held by good settlers, peoj^le of intelligence and enterprise. 

At Harrisburg lived General Sherman, who, with all the 
energy of a very energetic man, was striving to build up that 
town, which was burned in 1836 by Santa Anna. He had been 
very active in the cause of Texas independence, using his own 
private means to bring her aid and volunteering his services in 
her defense, and afterwards made himself busy in building up 
her waste places. 

In 1852 he went to Boston, Mass., and enlisted capitalists to 
build a railroad through our wilderness. It brought little or no 
financial success to him, but to all time let it be recorded that he 
not only led the first charge at San Jacinto with the cry of 
"Goliad and the Alamo!" but that the first locomotive whose 
whistle reverberated over a Texas prairie was the "General 
Sherman," the creation of his enterprise and energy. As his war- 
cry opened the battle that had such great political results, so 
the whistle of the locomotive General Sherman struck a chord 
that reverberated through our vast territory, followed in my life- 
time by the shrill notes of legions of others on our Southwestern 
railways, reaching with messages of peace and prosperity even 
into that foreign country with which we were so long at war. 

The firm of Kyle & Terry (Gen. W. J. Kyle and Col. Frank 
Terry, of Terry Eanger fame), then Oyster Creek cotton and 
sugar planters, took the contract for building the road. When 
it reached Thomas Point we had a great barbecue to celebrate 
the opening, and several of us glorified the occasion in speeches. 
We all had our expectation of great good up to the highest point, 
and each of us had contributed our mite. I had given one of 
my finest horses for the survey to add to the foreign capital that 
General Sherman had obtained to build the Buffalo Bayou, 





_ 




[- 








1^ 


jiZjlGA 




LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 125 



Brazo.s, & Colorado Kailroad, now the Sunset Route. Barrett, 
from Boston, was the first president, and the first engineer was 
Williams, who afterwards married General Sherman's daughter. 
Mrs. Sliernian, who was of the Cox family, was a very beautiful 
woman; indeed, our community was not only composed of intel- 
ligent, enterprising men, hut of aecomj)lished women. 

Mrs. Briscoe is the only one of that oklen time still renuiining 
to show this generation their culture and worth and she can do 
it grandly. 

Briscoe's home was three miles from ours. At the time of 
which I speak he was county judge of Harris County, and a man 
to be admired — firm, brave, and just. Ilis wife was from the 
State of New York, General Sherman's from Kentucky, and 
mine from J^ouisiana. These were all good friends. Tor the 
women as well as the men who came here were true Texans. 

Among the later men were the Dobies, well educated Vir- 
ginians and fine fellows, whose ranch was about fourteen miles 
from ours; Allen, a Texas boy, intelligent, energetic, and relia/ble 
in ])usiness, and Colonel Hill, a first-class South Carolinian. 
Our country for miles around was held Ijy enterprising and 
industrious citizens, most of them interested in cattle. With 
all of these T cow-hunted from the time of my small beginning 
until 1 became the largest cattle owner between the iirazos and 
Trinity, and no baron of old ever went forth with his retainers 
at his back to right his wrongs or mayhap to answer the sum- 
mons of a superior with as happy and as free a heart as I, a cattle- 
man, with my neighbors at my side and my cowboys at my heels, 
started on a round up. Nor did any baron among our English 
ancestors in his excursions ride over so broad or so fair a land. 
In all the world that I have visited I have never beheld a more 
beautiful scene than a prairie in sunny Texas, bounded only by 
the drooping canopy of heaven, carpeted with grass, bespangled 
witli flowers, and presenting occasional mottes of tiinhci-, the 
only life in the scene being vast herds of grazing cattle. An 
artist would revel in such a scene. I doubt, however, if a 
musician would delight in the lowing of the herds, but it made 
melody for me. I used to say the words of their lowing ran 
"Money in thy purse, my boy;" and 1 have learned in going 



126 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



through the world that not only ray practical self, but a musi- 
cian and even an artist, appreciates "money in thy purse." 

But outside of money making a cow-hunt possessed a fascina- 
tion for me. It had many of the features of a soldier's life, — the 
living out in the open air, the sky for a roof and the grassy sod 
for a pillow; the eager appetite for the simple meal; the story and 
merriment around the campfire with friends; plenty of excite- 
ment, combined with a touch of danger, and considerable gener- 
alship in controlling large herds of wild cattle. 

I purchased land for a ranch only, but I went somewhat into 
farming, and I discovered Briscoe was quite mistaken when he 
positively stated that the land he sold me was not fit for anything 
but cattle raising. This 1 found out after I put enough in culti- 
vation to answer my purposes. It was black hog-wallow, or 
heavy black waxy prairie, and its need was drainage, and I had it 
well ditched and drained. Then, in preparing my ground for 
the crop, I adopted a mode that proved very beneficial. My land 
was laid off in beds of twelve feet wide, thrown well up, and the 
corn planted on those beds in rows of three or four feet apart. 
This gave admirable drainage. The next year I would plant in 
the water furrows next to the corn rows, after opening them with 
a subsoil plow, and I invariably made good corn. While I did 
not plant cotton for a crop, the land would produce it well, as I 
found by my experiments, and General Briscoe, a cotton planter 
of Mississippi, who visited me once in company with his son, 
Judge Briscoe, was delighted with my farm, and said that he 
knew from what he saw of my place that it would produce good 
cotton and in paying quantities. Besides, it yielded very fair 
oats and peas and sweet and Irish potatoes of the best quality; 
in fact vegetables of all kinds grew well. I also had a good 
peach and plum orchard and very many fine fig trees. Black- 
berries and dewberries, indigenous to the sandy soil, grew in 
great profusion upon the waxy land after it was plowed; sorghum 
made luxuriant crops. Upon this I summered my hogs, of which 
I had a large stock. 

Many farmers who cultivate heavy black land make a great 
mistake in allowing their stock to run in their field; I never per- 
mitted it. This even in dry weather injures the-land and makes 
it hard to plow, and is ruinous in wet weather; it packs the land 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 127 



and makes it break in hard clods which sometimes remain un- 
slacked during the entire season. It paj^s to house your pea vines 
fodder and hay and feed it from the barns, instead of allowing 
the stock to feed from the fields. I should, however, be modest 
in expressing myself about farming, for I counted myself a cat- 
tleman and not a farmer ; but I believe I would be modest even if 
very proud of my success as a farmer more than forty years ago. 
I did not have agricultural journals or any early training to help 
me on, but I made a good farmer on black waxy prairie in Harris 
(^011 nty; so I can but exclaim, as I think of the more superior 
soils of the State, what an Eldorado Texas is for the industrious 
and frugal farmer! 

For the first few years we had a hard and trying time. We 
settled where a tree had never been felled nor a blade of grass 
cut down. Considerable stock had been gotten together 
and quite a nice "eaballado" or drove of horses. The bayou was 
very boggy, and the first winters and springs, when the stock 
became poor and while they were still unaccustomed to the cross- 
ings, the losses were very heavy. The finest horses and cattle 
seemed doomed to bog. All the receipts of the clerk's office were 
required to keep the ranch and farm agoing, and at times I found 
myself getting in debt. I had no experience in such a life, and 
so discouraged was I that in paying a visit to my friend Briscoe 
I declared to him that I contemplated abandoning my ranch and 
returning to town. He had a story ready for me to about this 
effect: that no matter in what business you embark, if it is legiti- 
mate, it is entitled to a fair trial, and if you would give it good 
and intelligent attention with proper energy and industry and 
stick to it for ten years, the difficulties would be surmounted and 
it would prove lucrative. After hearing the story, I left his 
house determined to hold on for ten years and take all the 
chances. 

Xow, wliat was a round-up? I will endeavor to give you an 
idea of it. The cattle being without any restraint during the 
winter would drift freely from the ranches of their respective 
owners. So it became necessary early in the spring to hunt them 
up and drive them back preparatory to the branding of the 
calves. In order to do this the ranchers who wished to have the 



128 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



same range assembled with from five to twenty men, as circum- 
stances required. Each household would have its own pack mule 
and provisions, consisting of biscuit, prepared to keej) without 
moulding, hard tack, bacon, coffee in great abundance, sugar, 
and molasses. When the drive was expected to be long con- 
tinued a wagon with a pair of mules would be taken for trans- 
portation. According to the extent of the range the time of the 
hunt would be determined; three to eight days would make up a 
drive when not going very far from home, and a larger scope of 
country would demand sometimes as much as thirty days. From 
two to four horses were provided for each man, because the 
horses were worked with only grass for their feed, and must needs 
be changed frequently during the day. 

It was customary during a drive in the spring of the year or to 
the first of July to pen the cattle gathered into the herd and 
brand the calves every day to guard against accidents or escapes. 
This branding was the main object of the hunt, of course. As 
the cattle belonged to different men, the first care was to identify 
the calves by their mothers. When they were tired and refused 
to notice their mothers, it was wonderful to see with what cer- 
tainty some of the cowboys could identify them by their ap- 
pearance and flesh marks. Then a cowboy on the alert would 
rope and throw the calf, while another handed him the iron 
heated and ready to be applied. It was the work of a moment. 
In case a mistake was discovered the same brand was again ap- 
plied, which was called counterbranding, and the owner's brand 
then put on. This was the mode of transferring cattle from 
one owner to another, and was invariably done when selling stock 
cattle, unless the entire stock, including the brand, was sold. 

Then, upon arriving on some noted gTound where the com- 
pany expected to separate, the large herd, sometimes numbering 
several thousand, would be held, which we did by encircling them 
on horseback, forming as it were an inclosure. The party having 
the smallest number in the herd then proceeded to cvit out, as it 
is called, his cattle, and so on the next smallest owner, and the 
next, until each cattleman would have his stock gathered into 
a separate herd, which he would drive home, turning them on 
the range to which they were accustomed for the summer. Of 
course many, unless closely herded, would drift back whence they 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 129 



were driven, which made little difference if the calves were 
branded. In the fall the same course of driving was pursued, 
except that it was not advisable to drive the cattle home. They 
were only rounded up, and the calves being branded, they were 
allowed to remain where they were. 

For the benefit of those who do not understand what is meant 
by cutting out or parting cattle, I will explain. A large number 
of stock is rounded up. Several owners have aided in the round- 
ing up and have cattle in the herd. The time comes for each to 
get out his own preparatory to driving them home. He mounts 
his horse, and very much depends on the training and intelli- 
gence of the latter in getting his work done rapidly and 
smoothly. The animal he wishes is singled out and he proceeds 
gently to push it towards the outer line of the herd, causing as 
little disturbance among the cattle as possible. On getting it to 
a favorable point on the outer line his horse makes a quick dash, 
running it out to a point some distance from the main herd, 
where one by one he collects in the same manner his own cattle. 
This process is continued until all the ranchmen get together 
their several herds. Then the strays or cattle not claimed are 
turned loose to roam. 

My pony Shuck was the first horse I purchased for my own 
eowdriving. He was considered the best parting or cutting out 
animal in all our range. Young, fleet, quick, and sensible, he 
waited and watched, appearing to know just what a cow was 
intending to do. He would come nearer taking care of a herd 
without a rider than any animal I ever knew. I worked him un- 
til he was about twenty years old and then gave him his free- 
dom, permitting no one to back him. 

On one occasion, having a bunch of cattle near our place, 
Briscoe, whose horse was tired, requested me to let him have 
Shuck for cutting out his cattle. Briscoe was peculiar about 
his horse equipments. He rode with a very loose saddle girth, 
generally a weak one; his stirrup leathers were poor, and his en- 
tire outfit was not strong. His idea was that if his horse fell 
or anything happened he wished his rigging to give way so that 
he would not hang in his stirrup or be dragged, as was often 
the case. On mounting Shuck I cautioned him about the pony's 
quickness and manner of dodging, so different from his horse 
9 



130 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Comanche, a great favorite. 1 advised him to put another sad- 
dle on, which he refused to do, mounting upon his own. He be- 
gan his work, and for a time everything went well. He was a 
good rider and very careful in parting stock. He had gotten out 
quite a number when he encountered a wild and contrary year- 
ling, of all stock the most difficult to cut out. In making a 
rapid movement the yearling stopped suddenly, turning very 
quickly back towards the herd. Just as I expected, Shuck, as 
was his wont, turned at right angles to head off the animal. 
Friend Briscoe with his saddle went in one direction and Shuck 
in another. He was badly shaken up, but fortunately not in- 
jured. Had his equipments been strong I think he would prob- 
ably have not fallen. After getting up, however, he insisted 
that he preferred it his way. He did not try Shuck any more, 
finishing his work on Comanche. 

Speaking of excitement in driving cattle reminds me of a day 
when I had enough of it. While putting together several thou- 
sand head some four miles from my ranch, in company with 
Briscoe, Allen and others, I was driving to the herd a three- 
year-old bull belonging to Mr. Allan Coward. My animal was 
an extra fine one to be driving cattle on, and had little ex- 
perience in the work. The bull, infuriated at being driven, 
turned upon me and made a rush and lunge. Barely missing 
my thigh, he tore a desperate wound in the side of the mare, 
causing the fat about her paunch to protrude. After doing this 
mischief, fortunately for me he kept on his course. My friends 
came to me immediately. The mare was walked to the house, 
the protruding matter replaced, the wound stitched up, and 
she recovered, doing good service for years, although her appear- 
ance was somewhat marred by a large lump remaining on her 
side. 

The roughest work we had was at Junker's Cove, s»nd it was 
not only hard but attended with considerable danger. This was 
a very "thicketty" country on our range, situated in Harris 
County, about twenty-five miles below Houston, between the 
waters of Clear Creek and its tributaries. The thicket w^as quite 
dense and it was a great harbor for wild cattle. These cattle be- 
came so wild that they never fed out of the woods info the 
small prairies near by except at night, and then it was almost 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 131 



impossible to get them beyond their usual grazing ground out 
into the big prairies. They finally became so bad that a large 
number of us would assemble, riding for miles in their rear, 
those who were expert with the lasso being ready to rope his 
animal as soon as one was discovered by them, for to the thicket 
they would instantly return, running over man and horse in 
their fury to reach their hiding place. It so happened, however, 
that a few would be roped at each run. The next question was. 
how to proceed with these. As soon as they were thrown they 
were tied, holes punched or cut in their eyelids, and these drawn 
together with hair taken from their tails, so that they were 
perfectly blinded, their eyes being sewed up. A small, gentle 
herd was always held near at hand with good herders, and this 
gentle herd would then be driven around the tied cattle, which 
would be let up by the ropes holding them down being displaced 
by the expert cattle roper. Not having sight, they would stay 
with the gentle herd, and in that way we could drive them off 
to a new range, where, after their sight was restored to them 
by cutting the hair, they would generally remain. 

On one of those moonlight drives my brother Tom Lubbock 
was with us as an amateur, and although an expert rider and 
good cowdriver, he was run over and quite severely injured, 
nearly losing his life. Many accidents of like character would 
occur, though fortunately we never lost a life in this way. But 
I have known cattlemen, expert riders, to break their necks in 
Texas. 

I shall never forget a terrible fall I encountered in running 
cattle near the battleground of San Jacinto, and that I did not 
break my neck where other men were made immortal, was des- 
tiny. One of the small bayous had become covered over with 
weeds and brush so as not to be perceptible. I was running at 
full speed a cow-horse that the boys had dubbed the Flying 
Dutchman, because he was rather more fleet than the usual cow 
pony. I dashed him under whip and spur into this place after 
a yearling. We went down together. My friend Allen was with 
me in a moment, expecting that both horse and rider were 
killed, for neither stirred until lifted out. I was for a while 
senseless. No bones were broken, however, and in a few hours 
I was running as usual, and my horse, extricated and put upon 



132 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



his feet, was next day as good a Flying Dutchman as before his 
fall. 

Among the incidents of a cowdriver's life I remember well a 
remarkable experience with a bucking or pitching horse. In one 
of our drives we had been out for a very long time. The prairies 
were very wet and our horses were about brokn down. Camp- 
ing at Asa Abshiere's, a stockman on Clear Creek some fifteen 
miles from home, he proposed to sell me a stout, strong-looking 
pony about nine years old. He was what is known among horse- 
breeders as a "stag"' horse and came from Louisiana. I pur- 
chased him and we started for home, when he appeared all right. 
But after crossing a creek and riding a few miles, without any 
apparent cause he began bucking or pitching. It proved the 
fastest, hardest, and longest pitching spell that I ever encoun- 
tered. After a time my bridle-bit, a new one, gave way, and I 
had to ride with a halter. I depended alone upon my fine spurs 
to hold me in the saddle. I soon became very blind, and made 
up my mind deliberately to give up, take the chances, and fall 
off. At this moment my ever good friend Briscoe rode up, 
cheered me, and said, "You can ride the brute ; stick to him ; 
do not fall — it is too hazardous." Were you ever in a fight 
with another boy and about to give up, and then have a big boy 
tell you, "Don't give up and you will whip the fight?" So it 
was then. I straightened up, determined to stay in the saddle. 
The vicious horse would stop pitching when about as tired as 
I was. Then when I would attempt to get off he would endeavor 
to kick or bite. Finally he was roped around the neck and by 
one of his fore feet and straightened out so I could dismount. 
Upon making a survey of the damages we found the bridle 
broken, the saddle, although ncAvly trimmed with the strongest 
and best findings, all pulled and strained, the strings snapped 
in two, and the skirts badly marked by the rake of the spurs, 
showing the service they had performed in keeping the rider 
in the saddle. And as for the rider, fortunately he was not 
many miles from home, and one of the broken down horses was 
mounted, the slow riding suiting his condition admirably. We 
had a Mexican along, a very good horse-breaker. I offered him 
five dollars if he would ride the horse home. "No." he said; 
"I no ride Louisiana stag. I rather ride pitching Spanish horse." 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 133 



Not one of the party would ride him, so he was driven along 
with our loose horses. On getting home it was found that the 
aforesaid rider cowboy was raw from his ankles to his thighs, 
and for days could not get about. Next day I traded the miser- 
able brute for a brood mare to my horse-breaker Weed. He 
would and could ride anything with hair on. 

During a hunt on the Brazos one evening when we were pur- 
suing the cattle at Cartwright's, I was driving up a yearling. 
There had been rain and the ground was slick. When quite 
near the pen he broke back for the prairie, I pursuing, and in 
making a quick turn Shuck slipped and fell, taking me down 
with him. I kept my saddle, and as I lay with my left leg 
under him, he falling on his side, I pressed him hard with the 
spur on my right heel. He was up in an instant and the yearling 
was followed, brought back, and put in the pen amidst the plaud- 
its of the cowboys, I having never left my saddle. On going into 
camp after my fall it was found necessary to cut my boot off, 
the ankle was so badly swollen, and I was compelled to quit the 
drive and return home. But I was all right again in a few days. 

Not long after this we had some fun that was more fun to 
the others than myself, and I was taken down a few notches. 

Allen, Coward, Hill, the Dobies, and others with myself made 
up the party. When we came to the Chocolates we found the 
bayous very high and crossing difficult. After searching for 
some time we found an immense pine tree that had fallen across 
the bayou with the top on our side and the butt on the opposite. 
The water was flowing over it at considerable depth. By means 
of connecting our cabrasses and lariats (hair ropes and rawhide 
ropes) together, we stretched them along the tree and across 
the stream that we might have a hand-hold to keep us from drift- 
ing off the trunk, for the current was very rapid. Our horses 
were stripped, and after swimming them over we commenced 
crossing, each one with his blanket, saddle, and other traps on 
his shoulders. I was perhaps the shortest man of the party 
and waited to see them all over, bringing up the rear. It was 
early spring and the rain and norther made it very cold. I said 
when starting, "Now, boys, tell me when to leave the tree. It is 
cold, and I wish to get over as dry as poss'ible." Cautiously 
walking the tree and holding to the ropes so as not to fall into 



134 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



the stream, I was told at a certain place, "Now is your time to 
get off." I did so, the water, as cold as ice, taking me about my 
armpits. I was angry — very angry, foolishly angry. I conceived 
that I had been tricked, unfairly dealt with. I so said, and 
abused my friends, behaving most ridiculously. It will not do 
to write down what I said, but what I did say I suppose is mak- 
ing blue streaks through some place in the universe even now. It 
is sorrowful to think that every word spoken, be it ever so bad, 
rolls on forever as a certain lady says it does, with a lot of talk 
about energy and force that I do not understand, and maybe 
nobody else does. But I knew it made me wish that I had been 
a church member earlier, so that I would not have turned loose 
such unlovely words to go down the ages forevermore. 

To add to my discomfiture, my South Carolina friend Hill, 
who had large and beautifully white teeth, was grinning behind 
a tree so that I could just see his ivory, and I became very severe 
on him. Finally a stop had to be brought to all this nonsense, 
and Hill emerged from his tree and said: "Lubbock, I know 
you to be a fine horseman, and you can stand as much labor as 
any man of us. I know you to be proud of your accomplish- 
ments as a horseman and your great endurance as a cow- 
driver. I know that you consider yourself when mounted equal 
to any man, and I admit it. However, I did not think that you 
were vain enough to suppose that you could wade through water 
and get wet no higher up than men who are more than a foot 
taller than you." 'There were several of the party six feet high 
and upward. I at once took in the situation, saw how ridiculous 
my behavior had been, apologized in the most abject manner to 
my friends, including our darkies who were with us, and stored 
up in my memory a most valuable lesson for my after life. Lit- 
tle men should not attempt to wade with big men, either in 
water or finances and politics, without expecting to get wet 
higher up, even to the armpits. 

I think Weed was the laziest man I ever knew. A few notes 
of his career will show how easy it was for a man to live in 
Texas with very little labor and capital. Buck Henderson, liv- 
ing in Houston, finding that Weed was breaking my horses, 
volunteered to tell me somewhat of his history. He was a horse- 
breaker in Louisiana. Henderson met him as he crossed the 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 135 



Sabine, when he had a light Louisiana cart, wood wheels and 
no tires, a yoke of yearling beeves hitched to the cart, some little 
plunder, and a young and pretty wife. He stopped in Texas 
on the Sabine and engaged in horse-breaking. The next year 
Henderson in traveling west saw him as he stopped on the 
Neches. He had the same cart, his yearlings had become two- 
year-olds, he had a new pair of yearlings, more plunder in his 
cart, the same wife, and a baby added. After spending the year 
here breaking horses Henderson saw him cross to the west of 
the Trinity. He had then a small two-horse wagon, his two- 
year-old steers were good three-year-olds, his yearlings had be- 
come two-year-olds, and he had a pair of yearlings in the lead. 
He had a chicken coop attached to the wagon, the wagon was 
full of plunder, his wife was with him, looking well, and he 
then had two boys, and behind the wagon a mare and a colt. 
Finally Weed reached my ranch with about the outfit named. 
Henderson said, "Your horse-breaker is a moving, prospering 
man." 

He soon made a contract to break my horses. He was per- 
mitted to occupy a vacant house. Close to this he would have 
several horses in hand staked out in the grass. He would have 
his wife by daylight to make coffee for him, and you would 
suppose he was up for a morning's work. Not so. His wife 
would milk the cows that she was permitted to milk, and Weed 
would stay about the house, not even moving his horses until 
after a. late breakfast, contending that it was best for the young 
horses not to handle them too soon in the morning. 

One fall, after the season for breaking horses was over, he 
applied to me for some work about the farm. I said, "Weed, 
we want to fence in a good pasture and rearrange our cowpens. 
Rails will be needed, and you shall have one dollar a hundred 
for all rails split; and you can work all winter." He jumped at 
the job, but he had to be furnished with axes and wedges. All 
were immediately purchased for him. After splitting a very 
few rails he reported that it was impossible for him to continue 
the work: that many years ago in breaking a bad horse his back 
was injured, and he could not maul rails. "Mr. Lubbock, can 
you give me something else?" "W^ell, there is a field of fine crab 
grass that should be saved. The boys are busy in the prairie. 



136 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Suppose 3^ou go at that. It will give you work for some time." 
Certainly: he would begin immediately. He must have a scythe 
and scythe stones. All right; they were at once purchased. In 
a day or two, all things being ready, I left him in the field in 
the crab grass. That morning I rode up to Houston. While 
standing upon the corner of Congress Street, I saw a man 
riding very rapidly toward me. Soon recognizing the horse, I 
became alarmed, fearing something was the matter at home. 
Hastening to meet the horseman and finding it to be Weed, I 
said nervously, "What in the world is the matter?" "Oh, noth- 
ing," he calmly replied. "Nothing. Knowing you were anx- 
ious about saving the grass, I thought it best to come and tell 
you that in attempting to cut it my wrist gave way. Many 
years ago in breaking a bad horse my wrist was badly injured, 
and I find I can not cut the grass. Mr. Lubbock, is there any 
other job you can give me?" "Go away," I said, "and wait until 
horse-breaking season comes again. You are fit for nothing 
else. You will do nothing else. You are the laziest white 
man in Texas." For several years he continued in my service, 
and he was good at horse-breaking, an occupation of which a 
man becomes very fond, however lazy he may be in other em- 
ployments. Many of our negro boys were fine horse-breakers. 
However, we preferred saving their "backs and wrists." 

I had a number of negroes, good men and efficient workers. 
In Osborn and William I owned two boys very valuable both 
for their honesty and intelligence with cattle and horses. After 
they became free they were employed by stockmen, receiving 
high wages. But my best cowboy and most expert rider and 
horse-breaker was Willis, or Cy. Brought up by a Louisiana 
stockman who gave him many privileges, he had a brand of 
his own and possessed a small number of horses and a good 
herd of cattle. For some cause he had been sold and he was 
not satisfied with his next owner, who had none besides him. 
A negro was generally disgusted when he was just "one lone 
nigger in the cornfield." So not satisfied, he took to the 
woods and stayed there. By some means he sent a message 
asking me to buy him; that he was a good stockman and would 
render me valuable service. I said that I would like to have 
him, and his owner having heard it, sold him to me. He had 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 131 



a kindly heart, which was illustrated once while on a cow hunt. 
He saw what he supposed to be a black wolf out on the prairie 
near the Brazos bottom, and gave chase. After coming up 
with his game he found his wolf was a bear. He lassoed it, 
and thus tied to his saddle by jerking it about he finally man- 
aged to kill the brute by choking it down and beating it with 
his stirrup. Upon arriving in camp he told the story of the 
capture, and, moved almost to tears, declared it would be the 
last time that he would ever tackle a bear, "for dere is human 
in 'em, sure; it begged and moaned just like a human." 

He had a great desire to be free, so he could manage his stock 
to suit himself. I sold him his freedom, he paying me a portion 
of the money. Subsequently he interceded with me to assist 
him in purchasing for himself his children and wife, a fine, 
handsome woman, and a good wife to him. He paid a part 
doM'n and I guaranteed the balance. In the meantime the war 
came on, and when "freedom came," as the darkeys say, he 
owed me a part of his own purchase money. This I lost, and 
I had to pay the debt I assumed for the purchase of his family. 

One of my best negroes was Louis. I remember an amusing 
pass with him upon one occasion after I went into politics. 
Returning home about dark after an absence of a few days, 
on stepping from the hall into the yard I was seized by the 
calf of the leg and violently shaken by a dog. Fortunately I 
had on a pair of good high topped boots and managed to throw 
the brute ofi" without sustaining any injury. I at once got my 
shotgun, determined to kill him. The load had been dis- 
charged during my absence, and some delay ensued in obtaining 
ammunition. My anger having somewhat abated, I repaired to 
the door to inquire what dog had attacked me, when I was re- 
ferred to Louis. I said to him, "Was that your dog that at- 
tempted to bite me?" "Yes, Mass Frank," he replied. "Well, 
Louis, I would have killed him had my gun been loaded, and 
do you take him away by morning. I never keep a biting dog 
myself, and I certainly will not have one about the place that 
does not know the owner of it." He rejoined in the most inno- 
cent manner possilile, "Mass Frank, you can't blame the dog 
because he don't know you. You aint home 'nough dese days 
for the dogs to know you." This answer created much merri- 



138 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



ment, and was quoted tome by my wife quite frequently about 
that time. 

I never was a dog fancier. In fact I despise most dogs, and 
never would keep one about my home that would bite a human 
being. I did however at this very time own a dog, mastifE and 
bull, one of the finest specimens I ever saw, and he was beyond 
price. He was almost as useful as a good stock boy. He was 
so intelligent that he would go in the prairie and drive up milch 
cows. He would guard the gap and let out only such calves as 
you desired to turn from the pen. If ordered to do so he would 
bring by the nose the most unruly beef from the prairie to the 
cowpen. I could make him catch anything from a horse to a 
pig, but I never did know him to offer to bite a human being. 
He was finally killed by a wild boar through a neighbor's bad 
judgment in setting him on it. 

The marketing of cattle when I was a ranchman was a differ- 
ent thing from the present time. In 1845 and for several years 
afterwards Galveston and Houston, then small towns, consumed 
but few cattle, and had a large scope of country well stocked to 
draw their supplies from. 

In driving to Galveston there was no way to get across the 
bay except in small sail boats from Virginia Point, carrying 
from three to seven beeves, and we could not make the trip 
unless the wind and tides were favorable. Sometimes we were 
compelled to remain there many days before getting over a 
few head. 

At Houston there was an establishment for the slaughtering 
of cattle for the hide and tallow. They would give from one 
to one and one-quarter cents per pound net weight, they claim- 
ing the privilege of slaughtering, and they would take the neck 
off pretty close to the shoulders, the shanks off, and hang the 
carcass up to drip all night; so that it took a pretty good Texas 
three-}^ear-old to bring you four dollars and a real good beef to 
bring you five dollars. The butcher gave a little better price, 
but the consumption was so small that the stock people had to 
sell to the tallow company. 

At that time Texas furnished many cattle to ISTew Orleans. 
They, however, from our section were driven overland, a long, 
tedious, and expensive trip, sometimes very disastrous in conse- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 139 



quence of the many rivers to cross. Some years after this state 
of affairs we had the Morgan steamers running from Galveston 
to ISTew Orleans. Then our cattle would be driven to Buffalo 
Bayou below Harrisburg, put on barges taken to Galveston, then 
loaded upon the steamer for ISTew Orleans and landed at the 
stock landing. It was a hard trip, and if the voyage was rough 
the cattle were badly bruised and sometimes there was consider- 
able loss. 

S. W. Allen and myself were largely engaged in this shipping 
business, keeping one or two steamers chartered for our own 
use. 

Subsequently when the railroad to Brashear City on Ber- 
wick's Bay was completed and the Morgan steamers connected 
with that railway, our cattle were shipped by that route, which 
was much shorter and safer for the stock than the outside pass- 
age by the Balize. Shipments were made by this route until 
the railroad was completed from Houston to New Orleans, when 
the traffic was transferred to that line. This last was after I 
had quit the business. 

We made much money in those days in the purchase of stocks 
of cattle by hundreds and thousands, shipping the calves and 
yearlings and fat cattle, and taking the large profits to repur- 
chase and ship again, keeping up a continual traffic. When the 
War between the States came on it put a stop to this profitable 
business of ours. We resumed it after the war was over. In 
a short time, however, I betook myself to other employments. 

Soon the Northwest was opened up to us by railway, and to- 
day Texas cattle are found in the markets of the world. 

In other points besides transportation the cattle business has 
undergone a great change. In 1847 I lived upon my little place 
and had a vast territory of millions of acres of land unfenced, 
with grass entirely free for my cattle. My brand was recorded 
in Harris, Galveston, Brazoria, Fort Bend, and Austin coun- 
ties. Some men would rent a small tract of land and have the 
same privilege, and at times others would merely squat down 
at a "water-hole" and enjoy the same benefits and no complaints 
be heard. After a while, as settlers began to come in, you would 
hear mutterings from some about things being too free. Then 
in the course of time, some ten or twelve years ago, the State 



140 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



began to look after the "children's grass," as that on the school 
lands was called, and passed laws making it a penal offense to 
graze and herd stock upon the public school lands unless the 
same were leased. This soon led to cattlemen fencing in their 
land, so that now there is not much actual free grass in the 
State, grass for the most part being in large pastures; thus it 
requires much capital to run an extensive ranch whether you 
own or lease the land. 

This interest received a very severe shock a few years since. 
Prices became inflated, and the cattle kings purchased large 
bodies of land and great herds, when prices tumbled and crushed 
many in their fall. However, things are now looking better. 

Texas is a fine cattle raising country. It is particularly good 
breeding ground. Cattle mature very early; heifers calve at 
from eighteen months to two years old; the seasons are m.ild, 
and there is little or no disease on the open prairie. I have 
long been of the opinion that it would be more remunerative 
to the stockmen of Texas to reduce their herds to better im- 
proved breeds, provide for them in the cold winters, and market 
all while young, except such large cattle as they may be able 
to feed. Thus so much pasture land will not be necessary. 
The cattle business is a nice, clean, profitable one, and will pay 
if intelligently conducted. I speak of neat cattle mostly, be- 
cause I have had much experience in that line. Horses and 
sheep do well in Texas. Particularly is the raising of mules re- 
munerative; and there is no farmer in the State with a reason- 
able number of acres that can not in addition to his usual crops 
rear for his own use his oxen, horses, mules, milch cows, hogs, 
and muttons. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 141 



CHAPTEE BIGHT. 

Honors to President-elect Houston En Route to the Capital — His 
Inauguration and the Inaugural Ball — Appointments by the Presi- 
dent—Comptroller Again — How Austin Then Appeared — Resign 
the Comptrollership and Return to Houston — The Worlcings of Re- 
trenchment — The Excliequer System in Finance — The Vasquez raid 

— Called Session of Congress at Houston — The WoU Raid — Volun- 
teers — The Somervell Expedition — Dissensions and Disaster at Mier 

— The Texas Prisoners — Congress at Washington — Depreciation of 
the Exchequers — ^Seat of Government Troubles — Complimentary 
Resolutions to President Houston 

A few weeks after the election General Houston and lady had 
quite an ovation given them by their home people at San 
Augustine, including a grand ball at night. This was shortly 
followed by a kind of ratification meeting by his friends at 
Nacogdoches and Crockett, in which very complimentary resolu- 
tions of respect and confidence in the hero of San Jacinto were 
passed. 

Not to be outdone, the friends of Old Sam in the city of 
Houston called a large meeting (of which I. N. Moreland was 
chairman and I the secretary) and offered him the freedom of 
our city. Accordingly, the President-elect, on his way to Aus- 
tin, visited us and received a royal welcome. 

Met at the suburbs of the capital city by an imposing proces- 
sion, civil and military, General Houston was escorted to the 
Eberly House, prepared for his reception. 

I was not present at the inauguration of President Houston 
at Austin, but I gathered this account of it from contemporane- 
ous newspapers and other sources considered reliable : 

After several days of elaborate preparation, the inauguration 
of General Houston came off at the old wooden capitol, on De- 
cember 13, 1841. The day was beautiful, and thousands had 
collected from every part of the Republic to witness the impos- 
ing ceremonies. To accommodate the sightseers, who swarmed 
on the ground at an early hour, a staging had been erected, and 
seats prepared under a beautiful awning spread in the rear of 
the capitol. These seats were occupied by both houses of Con- 



142 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



gress and a brilliant assemblage of ladies and gentlemen. Presi- 
dent Lamar and President-elect Houston were escorted in mili- 
tary style by the Travis Guards from the President's house to 
the capitol. President-elect Houston and Vice-President-elect 
Burleson, attended by committees, made their appearance at 11 
a. m. Prayer was offered by Judge R. E. B. Baylor, and the 
Speaker of the House administered the oaths. When General 
Houston kissed the book as a seal to his official oath, one of the 
"Twin Sisters" belched forth her hoarse approval, and the mul- 
titude, taken by surprise, joined in with bursts of applause. 

On conclusion of the ceremonies, both houses of Congress 
dined with the President, on his invitation, at the Eberly House. 

The inevitable inaugural ball followed at night. The Senate 
chamber on this occasion was tastily decorated with the Texan 
and the American flags and the Mexican standards captured at 
San Jacinto. A very beautiful transparency of the words, "The 
Laws and the Constitution," surrounded by a star formed by 
burnished bayonets and supported by a well-arranged ground of 
muskets, attracted general attention and admiration. 

General Houston was present, adding to the gayety of the 
occasion by his extreme affability; but there was a general re- 
gret at the absence of Mrs. Houston, detained at Galveston by 
ill health. The beauty and chivalry of the Republic filled the 
room to overflowing, and the festivities, lasting till the still 
hours of the morning, passed away joyously. 

The President's first appointments made known were : Anson 
Jones, Secretary of State ; Geo. W. Hockley, Secretary of War ; 
Geo. W. Terrill, Attorney-General; Asa Brigham, Treasurer; 
Francis R. Lubbock, Comptroller ; Gail Borden, Collector of the 
Port of Galveston, and Jas. Reiley, Charge d' Affaires to the 
United States. 

All these nominations were confirmed at once by the Senate. 

The notification of my appointment was written by Wm. D. 
Miller, his private secretary, and bears Houston's characteristic 
autograph. People used to say that he made it so as to read "I 
am Houston." 

On receiving my appointment I repaired by stage at once to 
Austin, where I received a cordial greeting from the President, 
then domiciled at the Eberly House. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 143 



At that time Austin was quite a village, having only about 800 
inhabitants. On the exposed frontier the town was occasionally 
raided by Indians, who stole horses and murdered people in close 
proximity to the capitol. At nights I felt safer at my quarters 
than on the streets, and you were pretty sure to find a Congress- 
man at his boarding house after sundown. Whether owing to 
the disappearance of the Indians or not I will not say, but it is 
certain that our modern legislators travel around more at night 
than did their honorable predecessors. 

The capitol then stood on the corner of Eighth and Colorado 
Streets, and faced Congress Avenue. It was a one-story frame 
building made of lumber from the Bastrop pine mills, and 
erected on the site of the present city hall. 

The most elegant looking building was the executive mansion, 
a neat two-story frame building painted white. St. Mary's 
Academy now stands on the same site. It was not occupied at 
the time by the President, as Mrs. Houston was absent and said 
to be visiting relatives in Alabama. The other public buildings 
of Austin, then scattered along the avenue or at a little distance 
from it east or west, were but rough little shanties. 

I qualified and assumed the duties of the Comptroller's office, 
which I held but a short time. I was clerk of the District 
Court of Harris County when I was appointed Comptroller, and 
I now had to choose between these offices. My home being in 
Harris County, and the clerk's office being then more lucrative, 
I resigned the office of Comptroller and returned to Houston, 
preferring the office of clerk. 

The President then made me one of his aids, and I served on 
his staff as aid during his entire term, with the rank of colonel 
of cavalry. 

The Sixth Congress proceeded promptly to complete the re- 
forms of the Lamar administration before the inauguration of 
General Houston. This was accomplished by "An Act to abolish 
certain offices therein named, and to fix the salaries of the offi- 
cers of the civil list," etc. 

The offices of Commissioner of Revenue, Stock Bureau, Trans- 
lator of the General Land Office, Commissary of Subsistence, 
Quartermaster and Paymaster General of the Regular Army 
were abolished. 



144 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



As to salaries, the President was cut down from $10,000 to 
$5000 per annum; the Vice-President and Attorney- General 
from $3000 to $1000; Secretaries of State, Treasury, and War 
and Navy (consolidated), from $3500 to $1500 each; the Chief 
Justice of the Supreme Court, from $5000 to $1750 ; chief clerks 
of various departments, from $1500 to $600, and so on down the 
list in the same proportion. As an evidence of their patriotic 
sincerity, the Congressmen did not forget to cut down their own 
per diem from $5 to $3. 

There had been such a howl over Lamar's extravagance that 
it must have been with a kind of grim satisfaction that he 
signed this retrenchment law for the benefit of his successor 
two days before coming into power. 

The first thing for the new President was to devise another 
financial system and to adjust his administration to the differ- 
ent conditions. The government paper had depreciated to about 
15 cents on the dollar, and the Republic was without cash or 
credit. 

So the Congress, on Houston's recommendation, adopted what 
was called the exchequer system. Bills not to exceed in amount 
$200,000 were to be emitted, receivable for all public dues at 
par with gold and silver. With reviving confidence, this plan 
promised well, and the exchequer system was pronounced a suc- 
cess at the beginning and before any test. Bills only to the ex- 
tent of $50,000 were issued at first to pay the necessary expenses 
of the government, and then more, according to the financial 
pressure. To be all right the exchequers only lacked some tangi- 
ble redemption fund. 

Under an apparent reduction of salaries, the officials under 
the Houston administration were for a while better paid than 
their predecessors. The public debt at the close of Lamar's ad- 
ministration was estimated at $7,704,328. This was the high 
water mark of the Eepublic's indebtedness, the only subsequent 
increase being from interest. The funded debt at this time was 
roughly put at about $2,000,000. 

As a cause for extraordinary expenditures, Lamar pleaded: 
an Indian war inherited from Houston's former administra- 
tion ; the expulsion of the Cherokees ; the assertion of the right 
of Texas to Santa Fe by the Santa Fe expedition, and the pro- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 145 



tection of the Eio Grande frontier so effectually as to prevent 
Mexican raids into Texas. Besides this, the rapid depreciation 
of Texas paper money, like that of all other countries when not 
properly secured, made the expenditures towards the end appear 
frightfully large. 

Early in March came the news of a Mexican invasion. Con- 
gress had already adjourned and left Austin, and General Hous- 
ton was at Galveston. Vasquqz, with about 800 raiders, had 
struck San Antonio and threatened Austin. General Burleson, 
with a considerable force, hurried to the scene of action ; but the 
enemy, after plundering the city, had fled. Meanwhile the 
President, thinking the archives in danger, ordered them re- 
moved to the city of Houston. This order enraged the residents 
of Austin and vicinity, but there seemed to be a general ap- 
proval of it elsewhere. 

In the special session of Congress at Houston, in the summer,, 
the most exciting thing was the bill for offensive war against 
Mexico. The bill seemed calculated to allay the public feeling 
on the then recent Mexican raid. Houston seemed to favor the 
bill till it passed both Houses, when he vetoed it on constitu- 
tional grounds. The veto called forth a storm of indignation 
from the volunteers in the proposed invasion; but the people 
were doubtless satisfied. 

Congress being checkmated in their attempt to carry on 
"offensive war against Mexico," hastily adjourned without pass- 
ing any defensive measures to meet the enemy. The bad effects 
of this failure to put the country in a proper posture of defense 
soon appeared. The Mexicans, now thinking that they could 
raid with impunity on Texas, made what is known as the Woll 
raid. 

On September 11, 1842, General Woll with 1300 men com- 
pletely surprised and captured San Antonio. The city was 
plundered a second time during the year and more than fifty 
citizens carried off as prisoners, including the judge of the dis- 
trict court then in session, our former Judge and ex-Lieut.- 
Gov. Jas. W. Robinson, District Attorney George Blow, Sam 
Maverick, John Twohig, and George Brown. Colonel Caldwell, 
Captain Hays and others rallied a small force and engaged the 

enemy as best they could. In this fighting around San Antonio 
10 



146 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Captain Dawson and company of fifty-three men were sur- 
rounded by superior numbers of Mexicans and all massacred 
but ten or twelve. On the 20th, Woll, without serious damage, 
began his retrograde march to the Kio Grande. Meanwhile 
thousands of gallant Texans had crowded to the scene of action, 
but the foe had fled with his plunder and jsrisoners. 

The news of Woll's capture of San Antonio reached our city 
on the 16th of September, and the President immediately made 
a call for troops. In response, the Milam Guards and Mosely 
Baker's company, with Sherman's cavalry, volunteered, and set 
out in a few days for the seat of war. We arrived at Columbus 
in the latter part of the month and remained there in camp till 
turned back by orders of General Somervell as not being needed, 
for the reason perhaps that Woll had already retreated. 

We accordingly returned home, but Thomas S. Lubbock, com- 
manding N". 0. Smith's company, marched on to San Antonio. 
The President promptly appointed Gen. A". Somervell to com- 
mand the forces in and around San Antonio. The general 
reached San Antonio about November 1st, finding nearly 1200 
men on the ground. The soldiers preferred Burleson as a com- 
mander, and the greater part of Bennet's regiment from Mont- 
gomery returned home. The remnants of commands were con- 
solidated into a regiment under Col. Jos. E. Cook, Lieut.-Col. 
Geo. T. Howard, and Maj. D. Murphree, and a battalion under 
Bennet. John Hemphill was the adjutant-general, and Col. 
Wm. G. Cooke the quartermaster. 

After a long delay, on November 29th — two months after 
Woll's departure — Somervell with about 750 men set out in pur- 
suit. Houston's order of October 3d to Somervell read thus: 
"You will proceed to the most eligible point on the southwest- 
ern frontier of Texas and concentrate with the men now under 
your command all troops who may submit to your order, and if 
you can advance with a prospect of success into the enemy's 
territory, yoii will do so forthwith. . . . You will receive 
no troops into your command but such as will march across the 
Eio Grande under your orders if required by you so to do. If 
you cross the Eio Grande, you must suffer no surprise." 

This order of the President clearly indicates that an effective 
campaign on the Eio Grande was expected. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 147 



Laredo was occupied by the Texans early in December. The 
evening of the next day they marched, as ordered, down the Rio 
Grande on the east side. At the next day's council of war eleven 
captains voted in favor of crossing the river and fighting the 
enemy. As to a commander, the whole army without a dissent- 
ing voice voted for Somervell when he said that he would lead 
them towards the enemy. Later, 200 out of the 740 present 
voted to return home, which they at once proceeded to do under 
the leadership of Colonel Bennett and Capts. Jerome B. and E. 
S. C. Robertson. 

Somervell crossed the Rio Grande with his army December 
14th. General Canales with 700 men appeared in front. The 
Texans were restrained by their commander from attacking the 
enemy then in sight. After an ineffectual effort to get suitable 
rations, the next day Somervell ordered the army to recross the 
river back into Texas. The order for the march back to San 
Antonio was issued on the 19th. Only about 200 men obeyed, 
from convictions of duty to the legal commander. Among them 
were : Capt. P. H. Bell, afterwards Governor ; John Hemphill, 
later Chief Justice; Lieut. Thos. S. Lubbock, Lieut. John P. 
Borden, Memucan Hunt, Lieut. Moses A. Bryan, Lieut. John 
Henry Brown, Ed. Levin, Capt. Jas. A. Sylvester, and the staffs. 
The majority of the army, 304 men, refused to obey Somervell's 
order, chose Colonel Fisher as their leader, and marched down 
the river. Col. Thos. J. Green commanded the Texan flotilla, 
on which were my old Major Bonnell, now acting as lieutenant, 
and Dr. R. Brenham, acting as surgeon. On the night of the 
21st of December the land and naval forces camped together at 
a point seven miles above the town of Mier. The next morning 
Capt. Ben McCulloch with a few picked men reconnoitered the 
town to ascertain the presence and numbers of the enemy, if 
any, in that vicinity. On his return Colonel Fisher crossed the 
river with his army and occupied Mier. A requisition for sup- 
plies was duly made upon the alcalde, who was taken to camp 
by Colonel Green. 

A few days later they learned that supplies started to them 
from Mier had been intercepted by General Ampudia with 700 
men, then reported to be in the neighborhood. Left to a vote of 
the army, it was unanimously resolved to cross the Rio Grande 
and attack the Mexican army. 



148 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Late on the same day, December 25th, Colonels Fisher and 
Green with their forces passed the river and at once engaged the 
enemy. The fight continued favorably to the Texans till next 
day, when Colonel Fisher, being wounded, was induced to sur- 
render his little army of about 300 men as prisoners of war. 
General Ampudia, who had more than 3000 men, stipulated "to 
treat all who will give up their arms with the consideration 
which is in accordance with the magnanimous Mexican na- 
tion." 

These terms were wholly disregarded. The Texans were 
treated as felons and decimated for an attempted escape. It was 
Waddy Thompson, the American Minister to Mexico, that kept 
them all from being shot. Whether their acts were authorized 
or not, the Texans had surrendered as prisoners of war, and all 
fair-minded men held that the terms of surrender ought to be 
observed. 

Ultimately Mr. Thompson obtained from Santa Anna the re- 
lease of all the survivors of the Santa Fe and Mier expeditions, 
and received for his kindness the thanks of the Texan Con- 
gress. 

In October the President issued his proclamation for an extra 
session of Congress to convene at Washington on November 
14th. The members of Congress came in so slowly that there 
was no quorum for business for about two weeks. The dissatis- 
faction about the removal of the seat of government may have 
contributed to their delay. The reasons for the last removal ap- 
pear to have been on the commendable ground of economy, to 
avoid the annual payment of $5000 for the use of the capitol 
building by the government; and further, it appears from a 
statement: of President Houston (in answer to a request for in- 
formation by the Senate as to the McFarland account against 
Texas) that "W. Y. McFarland proposed on the part of the pro- 
prietors of the town of Washington that they would remove the 
papers and public stores and also furnish comfortable rooms for 
all the officers, to provide and furnish suitable buildings for the 
honorable Congress in which to meet and hold its sessions. All 
of which was to be done without cost or expense to the govern- 
ment." 

Whether Judge McFarland ever got pay for his trouble and 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 149 



expense or not I do not now remember. Perhaps not, as Wash- 
ington ceased to be the capital in 1846. As a fact, however, the 
upper rooms over the two saloons were used as legislative cham- 
bers for a while at least. 

The Mexican raids and removal of the capital had affected 
the public credit and the finances were again in an unsatisfac- 
tory condition. The exchequers had depreciated to 25 or 30 cents 
on the dollar, though only $125,000 in those bills had been is- 
sued. With all the economy in abolishing or amalgamating the 
offices and reduction of the official salaries, the government was 
still driven to the most desperate straits for existence. Hence 
President Houston's bargain with Judge McFarland to save 
money. 

For the failure of the exchequer system up to this time, the 
President blamed Congress for not giving him authority as re- 
quested to hypothecate and sell the Cherokee lands as a redemp- 
tion fund, and for the six months postponement in the collection 
of the direct tax. And as a relief, he recommended the prohibi- 
tion by law- of the circulation in the Kepublic of all notes of 
individuals, corporations, or of foreign banks. 

Not halting in the work of retrenchment, the finance commit- 
tee recommended the recall of all our foreign representatives 
abroad and the abolishment of two more departments. The du- 
ties of the Treasury Department were to be done by a clerk in 
the Treasurer's office, and the amalgamated Department of War 
and Navy was to be squeezed into the office of the Secretary of 
State, which had already swallowed up the Postoffice Depart- 
ment. 

To what extent would this spirit of retrenchment go? Old 
Sam himself could not be abolished, but evidently he was in dan- 
ger of being amalgamated with Vice-President Burleson or some 
other unfortunate patriot. 

But this was only a dread foreboding never to be realized. The 
government could sacrifice no more — the bottom had been 
reached in retrenchment; henceforward all changes will be for 
the better. 

In concluding their suggestions, the committee indulged in 
these sage reflections : "It is a fact which none will now deny 
that our government commenced its operations in 1836 on a 



150 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



scale entirely too magnificent and with a prodigal expenditure 
much beyond the means of the nation and its irapoverished con- 
dition. The evil was then seen and its effects predicted by 
some." 

There was endless trouble about the seat of government. There 
were numerous efforts in each house to enact a law to remove 
the capital back to Austin, and in some instances to blame the 
President for a stretch of authority in first ordering the re- 
moval of the archives to Houston. The Constitution provided 
that the archives should remain at the seat of government unless 
removed by permission of Congress, or unless in cases of emer- 
gency in time of war the public interest may require their re- 
moval. Houston's argument was "that the emergency did exist 
for their first removal, as shown by the fact that for their secur- 
ity the archives were buried, and that the causes which first ex- 
isted under the provisions of the Constitution for their removal 
by the executive still exist with undiminished force," perhaps 
referring to the exposed condition of Austin on the frontier from 
both Indian and Mexican raids. On the other hand, there was 
a strong but unsuccessful effort to locate the seat of government 
permanently at Washington. 

And looking to that event, perhaps. President Houston or- 
dered Captain Smith with twenty men to proceed, as if going 
on an Indian raid, to Austin and bring to Washington the 
archives of the Land Office needed for the dispatch of business. 
The defeat of this executive attempt to complete the removal of 
the archives by sundry citizens of Austin added to the public 
excitement on the question. And much useless crimination and 
recrimination was indulged in between the President and the 
archive committee. Finally a bill to return the archives to Aus- 
tin passed both houses, but the President vetoed it on the ground 
that though now at peace with Mexico and the Indians, hostili- 
ties were liable to break out at any time, in which event Austin 
might be captured; that Washington was the constitutional seat 
of government ; that the several acts of Congress fixing the seat 
of government elsewhere were all unconstitutional. The ques- 
tion went over to the Jones administration. 

Houston's second administration was a stormy one. The 
financial difficulties, the Mexican raids, the seat of government 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 151 



contention, the Regulators and Moderators in East Texas, and 
the Shelby County war all retarded the prosperity of the Re- 
public. Nor was the official intercourse between the executive 
and legislative department of the government characterized by 
the usual spirit of urbanity in such cases. 

The archive committee in their report, which lacked one vote 
of being adopted (signed by Tod Robinson and John Caldwell), 
dealt the President some heavy blows in reply to one of his 
messages on the subject of the archives. 

The committee on Indian affairs, reporting through their 
chairman, Gen. Thos. J. Green, rapped the executive for his 
alleged slander of the Republic in his statement as to the treat- 
ment of the Indians by Texas. 

And the committee on foreign affairs, composed of Levi Jones, 
Thos. J. Green, Wni. L. Cazneau, Sara A. Maverick, J. B. J. 
January, and L. S. Hagler, rebuked the President in severe 
terms for withholding information (asked by resolution) as to 
the matters then pending with Mexico and the United States. 

But on Houston's retirement from office both houses of Con- 
gress by resolution vindicated him from all the charges in circu- 
lation against him, and commended his patriotic statesman- 
ship. 

So in the end Old Sam beat all his enemies and came out of 
the furnace unscathed. 

The greatest of his triumphs was that of finance. In the midst 
of perplexities sufficient to unnerve a common statesman, Hous- 
ton guided the ship of state from the shoals of bankruptcy to 
the deep sea of a "most healthy and prosperous financial condi- 
tion." During his last year in office the expenditures had gotten 
to be within the receipts. The total expenditures of his admin- 
istration were but $511,000, including a bill of $.50,000 brought 
over from Lamar's administration. The Postal Department in 
its reduced condition was run on $29,000, while $253,970 was 
expended for mail facilities imder Lamar. 

As to his retrenchment policy, the President remarked in his 
last message : "Much hardship has been encountered and some- 
times extreme perplexity endured by all the public officers from 
the fluctuations to which the currency has been subjected. But 
they have the satisfaction to know that although they have fre- 



152 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



quently received less than one-half the compensation assigned 
them by law for their services, they have materially assisted in 
sustaining their countr}^ in the time of difficulty and need." 

As early as the summer of 1843 Houston's friends were look- 
ing around for a suitable man to succeed "Old Sam"" as Presi- 
dent. 

Hemphill and Henderson had each a strong following. A 
meeting at San Augustine nominated Lipscomb, and General 
Eusk was nominated by an enthusiastic convention at Nacog- 
doches. But Dr. Anson Jones, Secretary of State, seemed to 
be Houston's preference,'^' and he finally got the field to him- 
self under the implied pledge to carry out Houston's policies. 
In November, 1843, Dr. Jones received the nomination as Presi- 
dent of the Eepublic from the citizens of Independence, and was 
notified of the same by Moses Park, J. M. Norris, and E. W. 
Taylor, as committee of correspondence. A few days later he 
received notice of his nomination at San Augustine from 0. M. 
Roberts, W. Edwards, H. Griffith, S. H. Sweet, and A. Clark. 

That Anson Jones was Houston's choice for President also 
appears from the La Grange Intelligencer of June 6, 1844, quot- 
ing from the Vindicator of May 25th these words : "Our all is 
at stake. Our candidate will continue the policy of General 
Houston in undiminished energ}''. Let us then toss to the winds 
all personal considerations and private feelings and vote for the 
man who can best subserve the interests of the country. That 
man is Anson Jones." 

As put by the Intelligencer August 15, 1844: "Burleson — 
Annexation, Texas, and Liberty. Jones — Anti-Annexation, 
England, and Abolition." 

Mosely Baker thus advised Burleson as to annexation : "Let 
your whole heart and soul and energies be constantly engaged in 
bringing about the annexation of Texas to the United States." 
— Intelligencer, August 4, 1844. 

9 "If any one is to be preferred by my friends in a contest for the 
presidency, I am sure they will concentrate most readily upon the man 
who has sustained my administration by his exertions and capacity. 
* * * I can see no reason why my friends can not rally upon you, as 
you will most distinctly represent the principles which they advocate." 
Houston to Jones, August, 1845, Jones' Mem., p. 241.) 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 153 



Meanwhile the opposition, or the anti-Houston party, had 
centered on Gen. Edward Burleson as their candidate for the 
presidency. General Burleson himself, though representing the 
opposition, was quite conservative in his views, approving part 
of Houston's policies and disapproving others. His promise to 
have returned the archives to Austin in the event of his elec- 
tion, however, made one square issue. But Jones weakened the 
effect of this by saying that he would not oppose the will of the 
people on that or any other subject. No truer man ever lived 
in Texas than General Burleson, and the worst thing said 
against him outside of his opposing Houston's policies was that 
he lacked the proper education for the presidential chair. The 
general was more familiar with the use of his sword than of his 
pen ; and he had used that sword in the defense of Texas. And 
that was enough to condone for a multitude of faults other- 
Mdse. 

But annexation was the coming test question in our politics. 

Meanwhile a strange piece of diplomacy was being acted in 
Texas. Ex-Lieut.-Gov. James W. Eobinson, one of the Woll 
prisoners taken at San Antonio, to effect his liberation from the 
Perote fortress, entered into an agreement with Santa Anna 
whereby he was to carry the propositions of peace to the Texans. 
From Eobinson's representations, Santa Anna was led to be- 
lieve that the Texans would submit to Mexican rule condition- 
ally. At all events, in the spring of 1843, Robinson returned to 
Galveston with Santa Anna's proposition. An outline was pub- 
lished in the Galveston papers, but the official document itself 
from the hand of Santa Anna was delivered by Robinson in per- 
son to President Houston at Washington. The report of Robin- 
son's arrival and the object of his mission excited considerable 
surprise, and when Santa Anna's scheme became fully developed 
men like Mosely Baker were indignant. It appeared that Santa 
Anna offered a general amnesty to the Texans on these funda- 
mental conditions : That the Texans recognize the sovereignty 
of Mexico, her laws, ordinances, and general orders. In return 
for this, Texas was to be allowed to make her o\vn laws and 
choose her own officials, civil and military, and that no Mexican 
troops should be stationed in Texas. 

As a matter of good faith, jierhaps, to Santa Anna, Robinson 



154 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



made in the Galveston papers a plausible argument to show the 
advantage to Texas of a union with Mexico, cotton being insured 
under the Mexican tariff to bring 25 cents a pound. 

But Eobinson had to report the result of his mission, and did 
not know how to do it. President Houston relieved Eobinson of 
his embarrassment and dictated the report himself. It was one 
of Houston's ablest state papers, and it accomplished the desired 
object. Santa Anna, not suspecting who was the real author, 
was utterly bewildered at the improved condition and prospects 
of Texas as shown in the report. Houston affected to treat Santa 
Anna's proposition with indifference. But not so. It really was 
the beginning of the end — annexation. The President managed, 
through the British Minister in Mexico, to have an armistice 
declared between Mexico and Texas. Santa Anna thought he 
saw his opportunity in this for the reincorporation of Texas into 
the Mexican Confederacy, and assented to the suspension of 
arms with a view to a permanent peace. As agreed upon, the 
Texas commissioners, George "VV. Hockley and Samuel Williams, 
met the commissioners from Mexico at Sabinas, not far west of 
the Kio Grande, about the 1st of October, 1844. The object of 
the Texans appears to have been merely to gain time to work up 
the annexation feeling in the United States and Texas. 

Of course, the protocol for peace with Mexico, in which our 
commissioners, Williams and Hockley, admitted that Texas was 
a department of Mexico, could not be allowed, and President 
Houston rejected the document without ceremony as soon as 
presented to him, in February, 1844. 

Taking advantage of the growing jealousy of the United 
States as to Texas being forced into a foreign alliance for pro- 
tection, Mr. Van Zandt, our Minister at Washington City, was 
preparing a treaty of annexation in conjunction with Mr. Cal- 
houn, for submission to the United States Senate. 

The Texas question determined the presidential election in 
the great Eepublic. Mr. Van Buren opposed annexation, and 
was shelved by the presidential Warwick, General Jackson. 
James K. Polk, for his outspoken advocacy of annexation, got 
the indorsement of Jackson and the Democratic nomination for 
President. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 155 



The Whigs ran Henry Clay as their candidate, on an anti- 
annexation platform. 

The Democratic slogan in the United States was : "Polk, Dal- 
las, Oregon, and Texas; 54.40 or fight.''^" Meanwhile Presi- 
dent Houston had sent Minister J. P. Henderson to Washington 
to reinforce Isaac Van Zandt in the preparation of the treaty. 

Henderson went to Washington City with these instructions: 
"If annexation is not effected at the present session of Congress, 
or if a treaty should fail and the action of Congress be ineffec- 
tual and they refuse to form an alliance with us, to call upon the 
English and French Ministers and ascertain the prospects of 
those governments giving us a guarantee against further moles- 
tation from Mexico and an indefinite truce." 

The treaty, as perfected and signed by Henderson and Van 
Zandt on the part of Texas, and by John C. Calhoun for the 
United States, was defeated June 14th in the United States 
Senate by a vote of 35 to 16.^^ The contingency foreseen by 
Houston had now arisen. Annexation having been defeated, it 
became the duty of Messrs. Henderson and Van Zandt to present 
the case of Texas to the Ministers of England and of France, 
"to give us a guarantee against further molestation from Mex- 
ico." But President Tyler, though balked in his first plan, was 
not disposed to yield the point of annexation. The struggle 
henceforth of President Tyler to bring Texas into the Union 
and the Ministers of England and of France to keep her out, 
becomes a matter of absorbing interest. 

After the rejection of the treaty in the United States Senate, 
Houston's policy seems to have been one of masterly inactivity 
as to annexation. That is to say, he would do nothing more on 
that line unless the United States made overtures. And who 
will now say that he was not right in that? This policy natur- 

^''In allusion to the United States claim to Oregon as far north as 
54° 40', and in default of gettinj? that, to fight England. 

*i The treaty provided for the annexation of Texas as a territory to 
be governed as other territories of the Union till admitted as a State, 
and that our public lands, arsenals, and ships should be surrendered to 
the United States, in return for which that government was to pay the 
public debt at least to the extent of $10,000,000. The defeat of the 
treaty turned out in the end to be a good thing for Texas. 



156 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



ally caused some rabid annexationists to doubt his friendship to 
annexation, but that did not swerve him from his course. W. B. 
Ochiltree in his letter to Jones, April 13, 1845, expresses the 
general opinion : "The position of General Houston seems to 
be a matter of deep canvass between the parties; both claim 
him ; all acknowledge the weight of his influence in either scale." 
(J. M., p. 450.) 

Democratic principles triumphed in the United States in the 
election of Polk as President, though by a narrow margin of the 
popular vote. Clay's letter in answer to certain inquiries, in 
which he said that personally he had no objection to the an- 
nexation of Texas, probably caused his defeat, as the abolition- 
ists dropped the sage of Ashland and supported Birney. 

Jones was elected President over General Burleson by about 
1500 Yotes. 



LUBBOCICS MEMOIRS. 157 



CHAPTEE NINE. 

Anson Jones President — His Policy Outlined in His Inaugural Address 
— Discussion of Annexation Between Mr. Donelson and Secretary 
Allen — The Seat of Government Trouble Again — Houston on An- 
nexation — My Letter to President Jones — Mexico Conditionally 
Acknowledges Independence of Texas — Various Annexation Meet- 
ings — Convention of 1845 — The Republic in Danger — President 
Jones Vindicates Himself — Annexation Consummated — The Closing 
Scene and the President's Farewell Address. 

Dr. Anson Jones assumed the duties of the presidency at 
Washington, December 4, 1844, under the most favorable aus- 
pices. The finances were all right, as the exchequers were at par 
with gold and silver, and the assurances of peace and tranquillity 
were becoming stronger every day. Texas was free from the 
steps of the invader. 

After some compliments in his inaugural to his predecessor, 
and a rose-colored view of the situation. President Jones out- 
lined his forthcoming policy as sententiously as Thomas Jeffer- 
son, thus : A rigid and impartial execution of the laws ; a strict 
accountability in all the offices of the government; the main- 
tenance of the public credit ; a reduction of the expenses of ad- 
ministration ; the entire abolishment of paper money issues by 
the government ; the introduction of an exclusively hard money 
currency; a tariff sufficient to provide for the current expenses 
of the government, and leaving a small surplus in the treasury, 
with incidental protection and encouragement to our agricul- 
tural and manufacturing interests; the establishment of a sys- 
tem of common schools; the attainment of a speedy peace with 
Mexico ; a desirable immigration to the country, and the intro- 
duction of capital to develop its vast resources ; friendly and just 
relations with our red brethren ; the introduction of the peniten- 
tiary system ; settlement of land titles ; encouragement of inter- 
nal improvements, and extension of commercial relations with 
foreign countries. 

President Jones, as it seemed, had studiously avoided in his 
address any allusion to the subject of annexation. 

On the next day, however, the indefatigable charge d'affaires 



158 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



of the United States, Mr. A. J. Donelson, who had heen on the 
ground some time, opened with Ebenezer Allen, Attorney-Gen- 
eral and Acting Secretary of State, a correspondence on that im- 
portant question. 

Mr. Donelson first alluded to the papers placed before the 
Texan government on the 6th instant, and which related to the 
treaty of annexation and the correspondence thereon between 
the United States Minister in Mexico and the Mexican govern- 
ment, and acknowledged the receipt of the note of President 
Jones "expressing the satisfaction felt by this government at the 
course pursued by the President of the United States." 

Then Mr. Allen is informed that the "executive government 
of the United States reasonably concludes and confidently ex- 
pects that Texas herself will maintain her connection with the 
cause of annexation — so far at least as not to consider it lost or 
abandoned on account of the late action of the Senate of the 
United States upon it," and that "it may be safely assumed 
that annexation is destined to a speedy consummation so far as 
the action of the United States can accomplish it." And fur- 
ther, "without the co-operation and sanction of the government 
and people of Texas, the measure can not be consummated. 
. . . The rejection of the treaty by the Senate of the 
United States was calculated to create the belief here that the 
measure had been lost, and it was natural that this government, 
acting for the best interests of the Republic, should be looking 
to the alternative measures called for, by the al)andonment of all 
hope of its incorporation into the American Union. To correct 
this erroneous inference, the undersigned has been authorized to 
allude to the failure of the treaty as affording no evidence of the 
abandonment of the measure by the government of the United 
States, and to the public sentiment as developed by the canvass 
for the presidency, as justifying the confident belief already ex- 
pressed, that if the measure is to be defeated, it will be for the 
want of the necessary support from Texas herself." 

Mr. Allen, answering, said among other things : "The under- 
signed is directed by the President to assure Mr. Donelson, in 
reply, that the existing relations between the United States and 
Texas, so far as the subject of annexation is concerned, will not 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 159 



be affected by any opposing or unfavorable action on the part of 
the executive of the latter." 

This was sufficiently explicit for President Jones, but Mr. 
Allen, under his direction, went on to say in substance that the 
annexation sentiment of Texas, weakened by the rejection of 
the late treaty by the United States Senate, may have changed 
into a general or insurmountable opposition to the measure. 

This was well enough said at the time, as the friends of an- 
nexation had undoubtedly weakened in their support of the 
measure. 

The seat of government trouble inherited from Houston, con- 
tinued to annoy Jones. A bill to remove the archives back to 
Austin passed both houses after considerable discussion and 
wrangling. It was checkmated by an executive veto; not for 
Houston's reason, however, that Washington was the constitu- 
tional seat of government, but on the ground of an existing 
emergency. But these reasons not being satisfactory to the pub- 
lic, executive vetoes did not quiet the matter. On the recom- 
mendation of the President, Congress made a law providing for 
the settlement of this vexed question by a popular vote in the 
year 1847, and the sum of $5000 was appropriated to effect 
the return of the archives to Austin in the meantime, where they 
would remain till the seat of government was determined at 
the ballot box. 

This law dropped out of view, and was not enforced on a^J- 
count of the all-absorbing question of annexation. 

On the last day of March, 1845, Mr. Donelson laid before the 
Texan government the annexation resolutions passed by the 
United States Congress just before the end of President Tyler's 
term of office, with these remarks : "If Texas now accepts these 
proposals, from that moment she becomes virtually a State of 
the Union, because the faith of the United States will be 
pledged for her admission,' and the act of Congress necessary to 
redeem the pledge is obliged to follow as soon as she presents a 
republican form of government. All then that is necessary upon 
this basis is for this government, after expressing its assent to 
the proposals submitted to it, to call a convention of the people 
to clothe their deputies with the power necessary to amend their 
Constitution and adapt the government created by it to the new 



160 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



circumstances under which it will be placed by annexation to 
the Union. . . . This great question, then, is in the hands 
of Texas. 

"With these observations, the question is now submitted to 
the Hon. Mr. Allen, under the confident hope that this govern- 
ment will see the necessity of prompt and decisive action where- 
by the measure may obtain the constitutional sanction of 
Texas." 

President Jones was, under the advice of Mr. Donelson, about 
to test the annexation feeling of Texas under sections 1 and 2 of 
the resolution as it passed the United States Congress. Under 
them, the "terms were dictated and the conditions absolute;" 
and Texas could say only "Yes" or "No." The third section, 
an amendment to the original resolutions, empowered the Presi- 
dent of the United States to arrange terms with Texas. 

General Houston, preferring action under the third section 
of the resolutions, wrote under date of April 9, 1845, to Mr. 
Donelson : 

"Now, my dear friend, for the sake of human liberty, — for 
the sake of the future tranquillity of the United States, and for 
the prosperity of Texas, whose interests, prosperity, and happi- 
ness are near to my heart and cherished by me above every po- 
litical consideration, — I conjure you to use your influence in 
having presented to this government the alternative suggested 
by the amendment to Mr. Brown's bill, so that commissioners 
can act in conjunction upon the points which it may be proper 
to arrange between the two countries before is it too late, and 
while there is a remedy, . . . that Texas may exercise some 
choice as to the conditions of her entry into the Union. . . . 

"I would suggest that Texas, if admitted into the Union, 
should enjoy full equality and community with the other States 
of the confederacy; that the United States should receive and 
pay Texas a liberal price for the public property which has been 
acquired for national purposes. . . . 

"That Texas should retain her public lands, and if the United 
States shall hereafter vary her boundary or limits as at present 
defined by contracting or reducing them, that in that case they 
should indemnify the citizens of Texas by payment for any 
lands which they may hold by locations under the laws of Texas 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 161 



in the territory abandoned by the United States, at the mini- 
mum price of tlie government lands at this time in the United 
States. 

"That the government of the United States may at any time 
purchase the vacant lands of Texas at a price to be stipulated by 
the commissioners; and in the event of their purchasing our 
lands, that they should not (without the consent of the State 
of Texas) sell to or permit to settle within the present limits of 
Texas any nation, people, or tribe of Indians. 

"That Texas should pay the national debt. 

"That the United States should remunerate the citizens of 
Texas whose lands fell within the United States in running the 
boundary lines, in the same manner and with the same liberality 
that Texas did those of the United States, or that they (the 
United States) pay them for their lands which had been located 
on valid titles, issued by the government of Mexico, and at a 
time when it was believed the limits of Texas would embrace the 
locations previous to running the line. 

"And I would recommend that an article be inserted in the 
agreement, stipulating expressly that Texas should not form a 
part of the Union until her Constitution is accepted by the Con- 
gress of the United States. . . . 

"I have not even glanced at the general policy of the measure 
of annexation, but have given my views as to the mode of its 
execution and what appears to me necessary to be done by the 
parties. I must confess that I am not free from embarrassment 
on the subject. I have felt so deeply for my venerated and 
highly valued friend, the Sage of the Hermitage, that nothing 
but a most sacred regard for my adopted country could have in- 
duced me again to thus express my opinions on this subject. The 
feelings of General Jackson are so much absorbed in the subject 
of annexation, arising from his views of the importance of tlie 
measure to the United States, that he has very naturally not 
been fully able to regard Texas as forming a separate commu- 
nity, and with interests not entirely identical with those of that 
government. Nevertheless, T know and feel that General Jack- 
son believes that Texas, annexed on any terms, would be equally 
benefited with the United States, and thereby perpetuate free 

institutions and extend the sphere of representative government. 
11 



162 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Annexation would be certainly beneficial to the United States. 
On the part of Texas, it is an experiment, which, I pray God, if 
it takes place, may result in enduring happiness and prosperity 
to a united community." 

It is needless to say, perhaps, that these statesmanlike views 
as to the proper policy of Texas on the matter of annexation 
were not heeded by the Jones administration, and that annexa- 
tion was finally consummated as advised by Mr. Donelson un- 
der the instructions of the President of the United States. In- 
deed, it is not certain that, in view of all the embarrassing cir- 
cumstances, Houston's prudent policy was practicable at the 
time. 

President Jones was being suspected of want of fidelity to the 
cause of annexation. I thought proper to address him as fol- 
lows: 

"Houston, April 9, 1845. 
"To His Excellency Anson Jones: 

"My Dear Sir : Claiming to be a friend of yours, not of yes- 
terday, but since the year 1836, I take the liberty of. stating to 
you that from my observation, which has been very considerable 
of late, I find that a very, very large majority of your friends 
and the people of our county are in favor of annexation as pro- 
posed by the United States ; that many of your former friends 
and opponents are now abusing you for delaying the important 
question and asserting openly that you are opposed and doing all 
in your power to defeat it. These assertions T have denied, it is 
true without authority, but from my- own conviction that you 
were in favor of the measure. I trust, my dear sir, that you 
will see it as I do, and a large majority of your fellow citizens 
and friends, and that you will lend your influence and aid in 
bringing about a measure that will redound to the prosperity 
of yoiir country and entitle you to the merit and praise of hav- 
ing consTimmatcd one of the greatest political achievements on 
record, and instead of receiving the thanks of 150,000 people, 
that of 18,000,000. 

"You may think me crazy in thus boldly approaching you on 
so important a measure; but, my dear sir, I claim to be your 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 163 



friend and well wisher, consequently trust 3'ou will give my let- 
ter such consideration as a friend deserves. I am, yours re- 
spectfully, F. R. Lubbock/' 

Indorsed by Jones thus : "This letter is from a true and 
worthy friend who believes correctly. But it shows a strange 
phenomenon in politics. I have now been laboring incessantly 
more than four years to open the doors of annexation, and have 
at last succeeded while others slept. Now noisy demagogues 
make the public believe tlieij are the friends of the measure, God 
save the mark I and I (its chief author) its opposer and enemy. 
— A. J.'"' (Jones' Memoirs and Official Correspondence, pp. 
445-6.) 

As further evidence of the excitement about annexation, these 
extracts are given from a letter of April 9, 1845, to President 
Jones by Dr. Ashbel tSmith, just leaving Galveston as Minister 
to England and France : 

"I find everywhere very great, very intense, feeling on this 
subject. I quieted it as much as possible by stating that you 
would at no very distant period present this matter for the con- 
sideration and action of the people. I am forced to believe that 
an immense majority of the citizens are in favor of annexation, 
— that is, of annexation as presented in the resolution of the 
American Congress, — and that they will continue to be so in 
preference to independence, though recognized in the most lib- 
eral manner by Mexico." He goes on to say that should the 
people lose confidence in his favorable disposition towards an- 
nexation, they would assemble "a convention by calling on the 
people in public meeting for the purpose of overriding the gov- 
ernment — in other words, an attempt will be made to plunge the 
country into a revolution. The plan has been matured in Har- 
ris, Brazoria, and Galveston counties." 

Dr. Smith was seen in company with Messrs. Elliott and De 
Saligny, British and French Ministers respectively, and this 
aroused suspicion that Texas was about to be turned over to some 
European power. 

Continuing, the letter says : 'When it is known that I am go- 
ing to Europe ... I feel convinced that public opinion 



164 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



will be inflamed beyond control. I have understated rather than 
overstated the feeling on this subject. . . . 1 am sure its 
tendency will he to prevent the dispassionate consideration by 
the people of the grave matters about to be submitted to them; 
and I am really apprehensive that an attempt may be made to 
subvert our institutions.'' 

On March 29, 1845, Dr. Ashbel Smith, Secretary of State, 
negotiated with Charles Elliott, charge for Great Britain, and 

De Saligny, charge for France, a protocol for this treaty 

with Mexico acknowledging the independence of Texas. Its 
four essential points were : 

First — Mexico agrees to acknowledge the independence of 
Texas. 

Second — Texas agrees that she will stipulate in the treaty not 
to annex herself or become subject to any country whatever. 

Third — Limits and other conditions to be matter of arrange- 
ment in the final treaty. 

Fourth — Texas will be willing to remit disputed points re- 
specting territory and other matters to the arbitration of um- 
pires. 

The treaty with its entire conditions was promptly ratified by 
the Mexican Congress. 

Texas was to act later. The choice then before the people was, 
"independence and peace with Mexico, or annexation to the 
United States, with chances of continued war with Mexico." 

England and France stood in the character of interveners, and 
proposed to guaranty the observance of the treaty, if duly rati- 
fied by both parties. We chose, and I think wisely, as Americans 
to go back to our father's house with an empire redeemed from 
barbarism rather than be controlled by European governments 
under the appearance of an independent existence. 

In public estimation Washington on the Brazos did not re- 
spond with sufficient promptness to the overtures of Washing- 
ton on the Potomac ; that is to say, annexation did not move up 
fast enough in Texas. And while President Jones and Mr. 
Donelson were wrestling with this great measure in a diplomatic 
way, annexation meetings were held throughout the Eepublic to 
express the popular will on the subject. 

The annexation meeting at Houston was held in the Presby- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 165 



terian church, April 21, 1845, the ninth anniversary of the battle 
of San Jacinto. Hon. M. P. Norton was chairman, and George 
Bringhurst and A. M. Gentry were the secretaries. 

The question of annexation was left open to discussion by both 
the friends and opponents of the measure. 

The committee on resolutions was composed of the following 
gentlemen : J. W. Henderson, Francis Moore, Jr., W. Mc- 
Craven, J. Bailey, A. Wynns, I. W. Brashear, T. B. J. Hadley, 
T. M .Bagby, Wm. M. Rice, C. McAnally, M. T. Eodgers, M. K. 
Snell, H. Baldwin, S. S. Tompkins, John H. Brown, and my- 
self. 

Among other things, we resolved : "That we willingly assent 
to the joint resolution for the annexation of Texas to the United 
States adopted by the American Congress and selected by the 
President of the United States as the basis upon which this great 
measure is to be consummated; and in signifying our willing- 
ness to enter the American Union, we would also testify our full 
confidence in the honor and justice of the American people. We 
believe they will ultimately extend to us every privilege that 
freemen can grant without dishonor and freemen accept with- 
out disgrace." 

The meeting then adjourned to meet at the courthouse at 7 
p. m. 

The night meeting was addressed by quite a number of speak- 
ers. Colonel Megginson, Col. A. S. Thruston, and Judge Thomp- 
son opposing the resolutions, and Timothy Pilsbury, W. B. 
Ochiltree, and F. R. Lubbock advocating them. 

The Morning Star had this to say : "Mr. Henderson confined 
his arguments mainly to the cost of the State government as 
compared to the present government. His remarks were very 
appropriate, and he closed amid the warm plaudits of his hear- 
ers. The speech of S. S. Tompkins was remarkably eloquent and 
was received with great applause. The speech of Mr. Lubbock 
was also highly commended by the audience. The opponents of 
the measure, although eloquent and able, appeared to great dis- 
advantage. The cause they advocated, although elevated by their 
talents, seemed to degrade them below their true rank as ora- 
tors." 

There was a rousing annexation meeting held at Shelbyville, 



166 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



and Messrs. 0. M. Roberts, Isaac Van Zandt, David S. Kauf- 
man, and J. Pinckney Henderson all made elaborate and strong 
speeches in advocacy of annexation. The committee on resolu- 
tions had on it such men as David S. Kaufman, M. T. Johnson, 
and Emory Raines. The court in session at Shelbyville had 
called together this array of distinguished men, who hastened to 
put themselves on record for annexation. 

Among the resolutions presented by Mr. Kaufman and unani- 
mously adopted were these: 

"That we have the utmost confidence in the President of 
Texas, Anson Jones, as evinced by our independent suffrages; 
and we will not believe for a moment that he would attempt to 
blast or defer the hopes of a confiding people or the realization 
of their long wished for anticipations; and that one national 
government is enough to protect all Americans, whether native 
or naturalized." 

Copies of the resolutions were ordered sent to Andrew Jack- 
son, the benefactor of the human race, to ex-President John 
Tyler, to Gen. Sam Houston, to Presidents Polk and Jones, and 
to all friendly newspapers for publication. 

Hon. Ebenezer Allen, Acting Secretary of State, suspected of 
opposing annexation and called on for his real views at the Bren- 
ham meeting, in April, declared himself unequivocally in favor 
of the measure. 

Collin McKinney presided over the Bowie County annexation 
meeting, and Dr. John S. Peters acted as the secretary. General 
Rusk explained the object of the meeting, and when the annexa- 
tion resolutions were presented, supported them by a powerful 
and convincing speech. They were adopted nem. con. Among 
the prominent men on the committee on resolutions were Gen. 
E. H. Tarrant, Wm. C. Young, Esq., Judge James N. Smith, 
William S. Todd, Esq., C. R. Johns, and S. H. Morgan. 

Sabine County appeared solid for annexation. In their meet- 
ing on March 31st, Rev. Littleton Fowler acted as chairman, 
and according to the Morning Star "addressed the meeting most 
eloquently in favor of the resolutions," as also did W. C. Duf- 
field, Hon. David S. Kaufman, Col. B. Burke, and Judge Go- 
lightly. There was no opposition. 

On April 14, 1845, came off the Brazoria annexation meeting, 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 167 



iu which James W. Copes, John Adriance, James Burke, and 
Guy M. Bryan acted as secretaries, and Timothy Pilsbury as 
chairman. On invitation Hon. Tod Robinson addressed the meet- 
ing, eloquently advocating annexation. On motion of James F. 
Perry the following were appointed a committee on resolu- 
tions : Henry Smith, W. T. Austin, John G. McNeil, John B. 
Norris, W. B. Aldridge, R. M. Forbes, M. L. Smith, C. R. Pat- 
ton, J. C. Wilson, L. H. McNeil, W. J. Kyle, P. W. Gautier, R. 
Mills, Thos. Blackwell, R. J. Calder, W. J. Russell, J. H. Polly, 
Abner Jackson, Peter McGreal, E. Purcell, J. W. Brooks, R. J. 
Townes, W. M. Brown, King Holstein, W. D. C. Hall, Joel 
Spencer, Joel Bryan, and W. W. Williams. Besides this, there 
was a committee of correspondence, headed by E. M. Pease and 
R. J. Townes, and another committee of a dozen or more to pre- 
pare an "Address to the People." The resolutions may be char- 
acterized as redhot for annexation, with or without the consent 
of the Jones administration. 

Guy M. Bryan carried a copy of the proceedings to Col. James 
Love at Galveston, and the meeting there a few days later 
strongly indorsed annexation. 

In the annexation meeting at Columbus Williamson Daniels, 
Esq., was called to the chair, and George W. Gardner was ap- 
pointed secretary. They adopted vigorous annexation resolu- 
tions, which were presented by E. W. Perry, George W. Brown, 
William Mennifee, Asa Townsend, W. B. Lewis, and others. 

The meeting at old Nacogdoches was a strong one. On motion 
of James H. Durst, Judge William Hart was called to the chair 
and Adolphus Sterne appointed secretary. The committee on 
resolutions were T. J. Jennings. C. S. Taylor, Haden Edwards, 
James Gaines, Bennet Blake, David Muckleroy, J. H. Durst, 
and others. Able speeches in behalf of the annexation resolu- 
tions were made by Colonel Jennings, Judge Taylor, Judge 
Wingfield, iLijor Gaines, and Col. Haden Edwards. There were 
but three votes against annexation. 

The Harrison County meeting was held at Marshall. On mo- 
tion of Hon. William T. Scott, Charles H. Cooper was called to 
the chair and Ed. Clark and M. J. Hall appointed secretaries. 
Hon. Isaac Van Zandt presented the resolutions, the first of 
which read thus: "Be it resolved. That the reannexation of 



168 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Texas to the United States upon the basis proposed in the joint 
resolutions of the United States Congress meets our hearty ap- 
probation." Speeches were made by William C. Hill, Isaac Van 
Zandt, Colonel Bland, and S. E. Campbell favoring annexation, 
and by Col. A. B. Means and George Lane in opposition thereto. 
Annexation carried overwhelmingly. 

The Fort Bend meeting had more than usual significance, 
from the participation in it of so many of the "Old Pilgrims" of 
Austin's colony. James B. Miller was the chairman and M. M. 
Battle the secretary, E. C. Campbell explained the object of the 
meeting, and he, with F. M. Gibson and Dr. J. H. Barnard, pre- 
sented the resolutions. They resolved "That, like the prodigal 
who had sojourned long in foreign lands, we will return with 
pleasure to 'our father's house,' " and then went on to advocate 
the acceptance of the annexation resolution of the United States 
Congress. 

The Bastrop meeting declared unanimously for annexation. 
The principal participants were Col. J. W. Dancy, Senator Cald- 
well, Gen. Ed. Burleson (chairman), John W. Bunton, and 
others. 

The Montgomery meeting was addressed in able speeches for 
annexation by C. B. Stewart, N. H. Davis, and John M. Lewis. 

The leading men favoring annexation in the Jefferson County 
meeting were F. W. Ogden, J. W. Baldridge, Alex. Colden, Wm. 
F. Herring, and Isaiah Junker. 

And so the prominent men nearly everywhere declared for 
annexation. 

One anti-annexation meeting was held at Houston. The State 
Senator of the district, William Lawrence, a strong anti, was 
to deliver the address. He had, however, steamed up too high 
for the occasion, and though an admirable speaker, upon taking 
the platform he gazed vacantly at the crowd, and in a moment 
more measured his full length upon the floor. Dr. Francis 
Moore, the chairman, who was an ardent annexationist and a 
very ready man, pointed with his one, arm to the prostrate man, 
and said most emphatically, in a loud tone : "Gentlemen, Colonel 
Lawrence has the floor." This settled the question, and the gath- 
ering, with much merriment, left the hall. 

Soon all opposition to the American sentiment died out. Poll- 



LUBBOC-K'S MEMOIRS. 169 



ticians could no longer delay the mighty popular movement to 
get back into our father's house. 

In May, 1845, closely following the terms of the annexation 
resolution as expounded by Mr. Donelson, President Jones, to 
get the consent of the existing government, called an extraor- 
dinary session of Congress to meet at the capital on the 16th of 
June. 

In his message to the Congress assembled, the President said: 
"The executive has now the pleasure to transmit to the honor- 
able Congress for such action as they may deem suitable the 
propositions which have been made on the part of the United 
States government for the annexation of Texas and its incor- 
poration as a State into that great and kindred confederacy, 
together with the correspondence between the two governments 
which has arisen out of the same. . . . The executive has 
much satisfaction in observing what no doubt will forcibly ar- 
rest the attention of the Congress, that although the terms em- 
braced in the resolutions of the United States Congress may at 
first have appeared less favorable than was desirable for Texas, 
that the very liberal and magnanimous views entertained by the 
President of the United States towards Texas, and the promises 
made through the representative of that country in regard to the 
future advantages to be extended to her, if she consents to the 
proposed union, render those terms much more acceptable than 
they would otherwise have been." 

The state of public opinion and the great anxiety of the peo- 
ple to act definitely upon the subject of annexation by a conven- 
tion of delegates induced the executive to issue his proclamation 
on the 5th of May, ultimo, recommending an election through- 
out the Eepublic, and for the convention^- to meet at the city of 
Austin on the 4th of July next. 

"The executive has the pleasure, in addition to presenting to 
Congress the propositions concerning annexation, to inform 
them that certain conditions preliminary to a treaty of peace, 
upon the basis of a recognition of the independence of Texas by 

^* Captain Elliott, the British chargf^, well knew the temper of the 
Texans as to annexation; and after beino; informed of the calling of the 
Convention, he is reported to have said, "The hunt is up. I will now 
retire and await orders from her majesty's government." 



170 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Mexico, were signed on the part of the latter at the City of 
Mexico on the 19th of May last, and were transmitted to this 
government on the 2d instant by the Baron Alley de Cyprey, 
minister plenipotentiary of his majesty the king of the French, 
at that court, by the hands of Captain Elliott, H. B. M.'s charge 
d'affaires near this government. . . . These preliminaries 
being in the nature of a treaty, will, with all the correspond- 
ence in relation thereto, be forthwith communicated to the hon- 
orable Senate for its constitutional advice and such action as in 
its wisdom the same shall seem to require. 

"The alternative of annexation or independence will thus be 
placed before the people of Texas, and their free, sovereign, and 
unbiased voice will determine the all-important issue, and so far 
as it shall depend upon the executive to act, he will give imme- 
diate and full effect to the expression of their will." 

The President could not well close without saying some things 
creditable to his administration, thus : "Texas is at peace with 
the world. . . . The receipts into the treasury have been 
sufficient to meet the various expenditures of the government. 
A specie currency has been maintained without difficulty, and 
nearly all the exchequer bills which were in circulation at the 
period of your late adjournment have been redeemed and with- 
drawn from, circulation, and the executive is happy to con- 
gratulate the country upon a state of peace, happiness, and pros- 
perity never before experienced in Texas, and rarely if ever 
equaled by so young a nation." 

Congress promptly gave the consent of the existing govern- 
ment to annexation, and adjourned on the 28th of June. 

The only sectional strife in Texas was between the east and 
the west. The east had the wealth and the population, and con- 
sequently, the bulk of the taxes to pay ; while the west was com- 
paratively thinly settled and periodically plundered by the Mexi- 
cans and Indians. On the other hand, the basis of representa- 
tion was unequal, giving the west an undue share of political 
power. 

President Jones, writing to Hamilton Stuart, November 25, 
1847, said : "The question of a basis of representation carried 
with it the question of the seat of government, a question which 
at one time came very near dissolving the government itself. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 171 



The east, north, and middle were willing to let Austin remain 
the seat of government if the apportionment of representation 
could be made equal. ... I determined upon calling the 
convention myself. I fixed an equitable basis of representation. 
. . . A few days after the adjournment of Congress the con- 
vention met at Austin, confirmed that place as the seat of gov- 
ernment of the State; and the Constitution which they framed 
perpetuated the basis of representation which I established." 

The convention met at Austin as called, on the 4th of July, 
the natal day of American independence. Its object was to de- 
termine the preference of Texas, whether for independence and 
peace with Mexico or for annexation to the United States. But 
the people had already spoken, and the convention only had to 
register their will. 

On motion of Hiram G. Runnels, Thomas J. Rusk was nomi- 
nated for president of the convention and unanimously elected. 
W. F. Weeks acted as the reporter of the proceedings. 

This body made a notable gathering of the worthies of Texas. 
Sam Houston was conspicuous by his absence. He was a dele- 
gate-elect from Montgomery, but absent on a visit to General 
Jackson. C. B. Stewart was allowed to take his seat. 

Of the delegates there then famous, or who became so after- 
wards, I call to mind Hiram G. Runnels and Robert M. Forbes, 
of Brazoria ; John Caldwell, of Bastrop ; Jose Antonio iSTavarro, 
the Mexican statesman from Bexar; Lemuel Dale Evans, of 
Fannin ; J. B. Miller, of Fort Bend ; R. E. B. Baylor and James 
S. Mayfield, of Fayette; Richard Bache and James Love, of Gal- 
veston ; W. L. Hunter, of Goliad ; Francis Moore, Jr., J. W. Bra- 
shear, and A. McGowan, of Harris; Isaac Van Zandt and Ed. 
Clark, of Harrison; F. M. White, of Jackson; George T. Wood, 
of Liberty; A. C. Horton, of Matagorda; Thomas J. Rusk and 
Joseph L. Hogg, of Nacogdoches; W. C. Young, of Red River; 
J. Pinckney Henderson and jNT. H. Darnell, of San Augustine; 
Emory Raines, of Shelby; William Cazneau, of Travis, and 
Abner S. Lipscomb and John Hemphill, of Washington. 

The president-elect being conducted to the chair, addressed 
the convention, saying among other things : "The object for 
which we have assembled deeply interests the people of Texas. 
We have the hopes of our present population, as well as the 



172 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



millions who may come after us, in our hands; the eyes of the 
civilized world are upon us; we present this day a bright spec- 
tacle to all lovers of freedom and republican government. The 
history of the world may be searched in vain for a parallel to the 
present instance of two governments amalgamating themselves 
into one from a pure devotion to that great principle that man, 
by enlightening his intellect and cultivating those moral senti- 
ments with which his God has impressed him, is capable of self- 
government. 

"The terms of annexation are alike honorable to the United 
States and to Texas, and as a Texian, acting for myself and my 
posterity, I would not, were it practicable, without in the slight- 
est degree endangering the great question involved, seek to alter 
the terms proposed to us by the government of the United States. 
Texas, animated by the same spirit and following the bright 
example of the fathers of the American revolution, has acquired 
at the cost of blood her freedom and independence from those 
who would have enslaved her people. She now, with a unanim- 
ity unparalleled, enters that great confederacy to whose keep- 
ing the bright jewel of human liberty is confided, content to bear 
the burdens and share the benefits which republican government 
carries in her train. Our duties, although important, are plain 
and easy of performance. The formation of a State Constitu- 
tion upon republican principles is the only act to be performed 
to incorporate us into the American Union. While we insert 
those great principles which have been sanctioned by time and 
experience, we should be careful to avoid the introduction of 
new and untried theories. We should leave those who follow us 
free to adopt such amendments to the system as their experience 
and intelligence shall suggest and their circumstances render 
necessary." 

Mr. James H. Eaymond was elected secretary of the conven- 
tion over Joseph Waples. 

The president informed the convention that he had a com- 
munication from the President of the Republic of Texas. It 
comprised the various official documents on annexation, the 
reading of which was dispensed with except the joint resolution 
of annexation. 

The president appointed a committee of fifteen to report on an 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 173 



ordinance expressing the assent of the convention to the annexa- 
tion resolution. The names of the committee were as follows: 
Lipscomb, Moore, Caldwell, Evarts, Love, Van Zandt, Hender- 
son, Cazneau, Evans, Eunnels, Hemphill, Lewis, Baylor, Davis, 
and Smyth. 

The committee reported the same day. (See report in Ap- 
pendix.) After the preamble and joint resolution of the United 
States Congress came the assent in these words : "Now, in order 
to manifest the assent of the people of this Eepublic as required 
in the above recited portions of said resolution, we, the deputies 
of the people of Texas, in convention assembled, in their name 
and by their authority, do ordain and declare, that we assent to 
and accept the proposal, corditions, and guarantees contained in 
the first and second sections of the resolution of the Congress of 
the United States aforesaid." 

There were 55 votes cast for the ordinance and 1 against it, 
cast by Kichard Bache, grandson of Benjamin Franklin. E. H. 
Tarrant, Volney E. Howard, W. B. Ochiltree, Oliver Jones, B. 
C. Bagby, and Charles B. Stewart did not vote on the question. 
Therefore it may be said that the ratification vote of the con- 
vention lacked seven of being unanimous. 

President Eusk at once sent a certified copy of the ordinance 
passed to the United States charge, Mr. Donelson, who, in 
acknowledgment, said: "This ordinance shall be immediately 
forwarded by a special messenger to the President of the United 
States, who will receive it with the gratification its dignity and 
importance are so well calculated to produce in every patriotic 
heart. Texas has manifested to the world with a unanimity 
unparalleled, in the disposition of a debated political question, 
her preference of an association with the republican States com- 
posing the Federal Union, over all the advantages, real or imag- 
inary, that were held out to her as a separate nation. 

"With a discrimination quickened by her contact with foreign 
influences, she has learned in her battlefields and in her civil 
experience the necessity of union among the votaries of freedom; 
and in voluntarily agreeing to take her place hereafter as a 
sovereign member of the American confederacy, she has paid a 
tribute to the cause of popular government which will command 
the admiration of the world. 



174 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



"From the date of this ordinance Texas will have acquired 
a right to the protection of the United States, and the under- 
signed is happy to inform you that the President of the United 
States has taken steps to afford this protection in the most 
effective manner against future Mexican and Indian invasion." 

Next was a resolution favoring the introduction of United 
States troops into Texas in accordance with a previous under- 
standing between Mr. Donelson and Secretary of State Allen. 

The dissatisfaction with the existing government, so preva- 
lent at the time, showed itself in the convention. And there 
was under serious consideration a proposition to abolish the 
Jones government and to set up a provisional one in its stead; 
and it was thought at one time that the dissatisfied, including 
such men as Rusk, Hogg, and Horton, were in the majority. 

But prudent counsels prevailed and the storm blew over.^^ 

In concluding this subject, I think it no more than right to 
let President Jones speak for himself, thus : "I won independ- 
ence and annexation for my country. If I am wrong in any par- 
ticular, let the records of my negotiation show it. They all may 
be published without any fear that Texas will be injured by it, 
. . , I have never sought to be popular by making a stalk- 
ing horse of annexation and riding on it into popular favor. I 
was contented to be denounced by my enemies and even sus- 
■peeted by my friends as opposed to it, when the interests of the 
country and the position Texas occupied towards the United 

^3 In the letter already referred to, President Jones said further to 
Hamilton Stuart: 

" Not long after the opening of the Convention I received information 
from the most reliable and authentic sources that emissaries and fac- 
tionists were at work, and that a majority of from two to five in the 
Convention were in favor of abolishing the existing government and es- 
tablishing a provisional one in its place. * * * I hastened with 
some of my cabinet to Austin. The friends of good order and annexa- 
tion prevailed; for, two weeks after, the proposition to abolish the gov- 
ernment coming before the Convention in a report from the Committee 
on the State of the Nation, it was triumphantly defeated, only about 
seven members voting for it out of sixty-one who composed that bod3^ 
Faction was thus rebuked, disorganizers and emissaries silenced, and 
annexation again saved to the country. From this time, I had no fur- 
ther material control over the question of annexation, and my duties in 
connection with it became merely ministerial." 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 175 



States, England, France, and Mexico required a discreet silence 
on my part; but if ever annexation should go out of favor in 
Texas (which I hope may never be the case), my enemies I fear 
will then be able to prove that, but for me, it never would have 
taken place, and that I was always its devoted friend. All I 
claim for myself is having accomplished, in spite of every diffi- 
culty and every obstacle, the great object I sought, and un- 
influenced by clamor, abuse, or threats, of having pursued one 
uniform and consistent course on the subject of annexation from 
1836 to 184:6, that is, from the birth to the death of the Re- 
public." 

Nevertheless, President Jones was ruined politically by the 
suspicion that he had opposed annexation; and he did not live 
long enough to recover his former high position in the public 
confidence. 

Anson Jones, born in Massachusetts in 1798, came to Texas 
in 1833 as a practicing physician, and soon went into active 
politics. He was one of the earliest advocates for Texan inde- 
pendence, and when the war begun became surgeon in Burleson^s 
regiment and participated in the battle of San Jacinto. Sub- 
sequently Jones was a Congressman from Brazoria, and later 
Minister to the United States, Secretary of State under Hous- 
ton, and finally President. He was a man of fine abilities, and 
for many years was on intimate terms with Sam Houston. 

In response to a unanimous vote of thanks by the convention 
for his promptness, fidelity, and impartiality. President Rusk 
gracefully acknowledged the compliment and proceeded to say 
further : "The important duties we were called upon to perform 
on the part of the people of Texas are discharged, and I trust in 
a manner which will be satisfactory to all the people of Texas, 
satisfactory to the Congress and people of the United States, 
and satisfactory to the friends of republican government 
throughout all the civilized world. . . . The proceedings of 
this convention, I think I may safely say without vanity or un- 
due prejudice in favor of Texas, our adopted land, may well 
compare with those of any similar body which has met within 
the last hundred years. They have been marked by a degree of 
decorum and a spirit of good feeling which I trust in God will 
continue to characterize the people of Texas as long as our coun- 



176 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



try shall endure. ... I trust, too, that when this Constitu- 
tion shall go into operation the angry passions attendant upon 
political dissensions will be hushed, that all sectional feeling and 
jealousies and the strife of personal ambition will cease, and that 
for many long years to come it will continue the organic law of 
a people united as a band of brothers, animated by the best feel- 
ings of the human heart, and prompted in action by that pure 
and lively patriotism which has characterized Texas thus far." 

Time has shoAvn to be true these congratulatory remarks of 
President Eusk to the convention. This Constitution of 1845, 
the best that Texas ever had, perhaps, perished only by external 
violence. 

Judge Hemphill, arguing from the analogy of IsTof th Carolina 
and Ehode T-i;ind, held that a new Constitution was not neces- 
sary to entitle Texas to admission in the Union. Those two pow- 
ers having played the role of independent sovereignties a year or 
more, came into the Union by "acceding to the compact," North 
Carolina without any change in her organic law, and Rhode 
Island with her old royal charter for a Constitution. In case of 
any conflict the United States Constitution was of course para- 
mount. In that distinguished jurist's opinion, Texas might 
have entered the Union by simply ratifying the annexation reso- 
lution of the United States Congress. 

At the election held in October the Constitution submitted to 
the people was adopted by a vote practically unanimous. 

An election was ordered for State ofBcers and members of the 
Legislature, to be holden on the third Monday in December. 

J. Pinckney Henderson was elected Governor over Dr. J. P. 
Miller by a vote of 7853 to 1673. Albert C. Horton beat Nicho- 
las H. Darnell for Lieutenant-Governor by only 120 votes. 

Mr. Darnell had already the honor of being the bearer of the 
new Constitution of Texas from the annexation convention to 
President Polk. 

On December 29, 1845, President Polk signed the joint reso- 
lution for the admission into the Union. Ex-President Adams 
worked hard to the very last moment to beat annexation in the 
House of Representatives, and Daniel Webster opposed it in the 
Senate. 

The new Legislature met at Austin on February 16, 1846, 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 177 



The old capitol, which had been used only for a church and 
schoolhouse since February, 184:^ (except for the short session 
of the annexation convention), was now occupied again as a 
legislative hall. According to Col. John S. Ford, in his paper, 
the Austin Democrat, the capitol was decorated with flags for 
this occasion. President Jones and Governor-elect Henderson 
made their appearance, attended by a joint committee of both 
houses, and escorted by the United States officers of this station. 
After they were introduced and seated. Judge R. E. B. Baylor 
led off in an earnest prayer. 

President Jones then rose and delivered his valedictory, con- 
cluding in these words : 

"The Lone Star of Texas, which ten years ago arose amid 
clouds over fields of carnage, obscurely seen for awhile, has 
culminated, and following an inscrutable destiny, has passed on 
and become fixed forever in that glorious constellation which all 
freemen and lovers of freedom in the world must reverence and 
adore — the American Union. Blending its rays with its sister 
States, long may it continue to shine, and may generous heaven 
smile upon the consummation of the wishes of the two republics 
now joined in one. May the union be perpetual, and may it be 
the means of conferring benefits and blessings upon the people 
of all the States, is my ardent prayer. The final act in the great 
drama is now performed. The Republic of Texas is no more !" 

During this address intense emotion thrilled every bosom and 
tears trickled from the eyes of many weather-beaten Texans, who 
felt that they were being stricken from the roll of nations, and 
that indeed the Republic of Texas was "no more.'' Continuing, 
Colonel Ford says: "Texas is secure in the enjoyment of all 
that a patriot could wish — her destiny is united to that of the 
mightiest people on earth. Her watchword must be 'Union' and 
her progress will be 'Onward.' " 

On this event the Washington Union of that date thus com- 
ments : "We again hail the incorporation of Texas into our 
Union as one of the most remarkable events of the age. It was 
accomplished by no violence of tlie sword; no effusion of blood; 
no corruption of the people, and by no constraint upon their 
intentions; but in the best spirit of the age, according to the 
present principles of free government, by the free consent of the 
12 



178 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



people of the two republics. Well may President Jones have 
said: 'It was left for the Anglo-American inhabitants of the 
western continent to furnish a new mode of enlarging the 
bounds of empire by the more natural tendency and operation of 
the principles of their free government.' " 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 179 



CHAPTER TEN. 

Texas in the Union — Henderson Governor — The Mexican War — Texans 
at Monterey — General Henderson and His Brigade — Ben McCulloch 
and Buena Vista — Hays and Wallier with Scott — Peace and Terri- 
torial Expansion — Democratic Party Organization — ^The Glorious 
Fourth at Austin in li-!46 — Educational Interests in Houston — Hen- 
derson's Welcome Home — His Character. 

Governor Henderson's inaugural was a short and pointed ad- 
dress congratulating the people upon the consummation of an- 
nexation, expressing a desire for a spirit of harmony and forbear- 
ance, rather regretting the power and patronage lodged by law 
with the executive, but promising to act cautiously and im- 
partially in his official duties and only for the public good, pledg- 
ing himself to place the judiciary on the best possible footing, 
and expecting to use the veto power sparingly. He closed with 
this vigorous paragraph: "We have this day fully entered the 
Union of the North American States. Let us give our friends, 
who so boldly and nobly advocated our cause, and the friends of 
American liberty, no reason to regret their efforts in our be- 
half. Henceforth the prosperity of our sister States' will be our 
prosperity — their happiness, our happiness — their quarrels will 
be our quarrels, and in their wars we will freely participate." 

A few days later Thomas J. Eusk and Sam Houston were 
chosen by the Legislature United States Senators, the former re- 
ceiving on joint ballot 70 votes, and the latter 69. Col. James 
Love received 4 votes for Senator, Hiram G. Runnels 2 votes, and 
James B. Miller and Memucan Hunt received 1 vote each. 

Tn the congressional election that spring David S. Kaufman 
was chosen for Representative in the eastern district. 

Timothy Pilsbury was elected in the western district, though 
he had such able competitors as Wm. G. Cooke, Sam M. Williams, 
R. E. B. Baylor, and Thos. Jefferson Green. 

Kaufman was a Pennsylvanian, having come to Texas in 1837. 
He had represented his district in the Congress of the Republic 
and had served as a diplomat for Texas at Washington City. 
Pilsbury was a retired sea captain from Maine, and had been a 



180 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Congressman in the days of the Republic. Both men were pa- 
triots of sterling worth, and their fidelity to Texas had been tried 
and never found wanting. 

For his Secretary of State, Governor Henderson selected ex- 
President David G. Burnet, and Gen. Ed. Burleson was president 
pro tern, of the Senate. Jas. B. Shaw was Comptroller ; Thomas 
William Ward, Land Commissioner; Wm. G. Cooke, Adjutant- 
General. It was gratifying to note the prominence of these old 
Texans in the new State government. 

The Governor in his message called attention to the public 
debt and the necessity of paying it ; to the proper disposition of 
the public domain; to the unorganized condition of our militia; 
and to the necessity of economy in administration, to which he 
was pledged as the chief executive officer of the State. 

On the reorganization of the Supreme Court, Governor Hen- 
derson appointed John Hemphill Chief Justice, and Abner S. 
Lipscomb and Royall T. Wheeler Associate Justices. Hemphill 
was confirmed by the Senate unanimously. Six votes were cast 
against Wheeler's confirmation and five against Lipscomb's. 
This court, in the ability and purity of its members, has never 
had a superior in Texas. The little opposition to Lipscomb and 
Wheeler at first was caused, it was said, from their connection 
with certain old land claims. 

We had scarcely got into the Union before there were rum- 
blings of war on the Mexican border. The Spanish stock is slow 
to recognize the logic of events. Spain did not recognize the 
independence of Mexico till after the battle of San Jacinto. After 
nine years of conflict Mexico offered to recognize the independ- 
ence of Texas if Texas would agree to remain a separate nation. 
But that would have barred annexation, and we rejected, as has 
been already .shown, the Mexican proposal with scorn. Mexico 
now made the annexation of Texas to the United States a casus 
belli under the pretense that Texas was her rebellious province. 
Almonte, the Mexican minister at Washington City, protested 
in severe terms against the annexation of Texas, and withdrew 
from the United States. Mexico, having rejected President 
Polk's offer of peaceful negotiation, began active preparations 
for war. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 181 



Meanwhile Texas accepted the annexation resolution of the 
United States Congress, and when General Taylor, at New Or- 
leans, was advised of this by Mr. Donelson, he immediately em- 
barked with a few battalions for our exposed southwestern fron- 
tier. 

Encouraged, if not incited, by the abolitionists of the free 
States, the Mexican government rejected our peace minister. Mr. 
Slidell, and ordered its armies into Texas. 

In the spring of 1 846, General Taylor, to meet this threatened 
invasion, advanced on Matamoros. General Arista protested, 
and informed General Taylor that he must at once retire with 
his army beyond the Nueces, or expect to be compelled to do so 
by force. Taylor sternly refused, but proposed to Arista, as a 
peace measure, an armistice pending possible negotiations be- 
tween the two governments. Arista refused this reasonable prop- 
osition, and, crossing the Eio Grande into Texas with his army 
of more than 6000 veterans, began hostilities. 

In May, Taylor, with about 3000 men, mostly volunteers, 
routed the Mexicans in the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la 
Palma, and drove them back across the Eio Grande badly de- 
moralized and reduced to about half their original number. 

Capt. Samuel Walker, with his handful of Texas Rangers, 
rendered excellent scouting service for General Taylor in this 
short but glorious campaign. 

Prefsident Polk, by proclamation, recognized the existence of 
war and called for volunteers. American blood had been shed 
by foreigners upon American soil, and there was an enthusiastic 
response throughout the Union to the call for troops, but espe- 
cially in the West and South. 

On account of the known superiority of the United States to 
Mexico, making victory sure, I did not feel the necessity of en- 
listing in the war, nor did my warlike brother Tom, who had 
rushed to the defense of Texas eleven years before when hard 
pressed by Mexico. All of us, however, held ourselves in readi- 
ness to march to the front should the struggle be long or doubt- 
ful. The war was really welcomed by Texas, as it gave the op- 
portunity for her adventurous sons to make the hated ^lexicans 
feel the blighting effects of a contest carried to their altars and 
firesides. 



182 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



There was an immediate rush of Texan volunteers to the Rio 
Grande frontier, and they shared in the glories of that campaign. 
Their distinguished leaders were the ranger captains Jack 
(John C.) Hays, Samuel H. Walker, and Ben McCulloch. Col. 
Albert Sidney Johnston was the first to lead a regiment (the 
Second) to the Rio Grande. They were six months men, and 
were from some misunderstanding mustered out of service be- 
fore participating in a battle. 

It was said at the time that major-generals' commissions were 
offered by President Polk to Senators Houston and Rusk, but 
declined by those gentlemen. Governor Henderson accepted a 
commission as major-general in the volunteer army, and, when 
authorized by act of the Legislature, went to the front and com- 
manded the Texans under General Taylor at Monterey. His 
brigade consisted of the regiments of Cols. Geo. T. Wood and 
Jack Hays. They led the American advance on Monterey, with 
the companies of Capts. McCulloch and R. A. Gillespie in front. 

General Henderson, with his Texans, fought with such spirit 
in the successful assault on Monterey, September 22-24, 1846, 
as to gain the plaudits of the whole army. In fact, the siege 
seemed to drag until the Texans resorted to Ben Milam's tactics 
at Bexar (fighting from house to house), and forced a surrender. 

General Henderson was highly complimented by General Tay- 
lor, and was voted a sword by Congress in commemoration of his 
gallantry. Our Governor was also appointed on the commission, 
with Col. Jeff Davis and General Worth, to arrange the terms 
for surrender of the city. 

Among the noted Texans at Monterey were M. B. Lamar, Ed. 
Burleson, H. L. Kinney, and Ed. Clark (on General Henderson's 
staff) ; McCulloch, Tom Green, Walter P. Lane, P. H. Bell, Geo. 
T. Wood, Jack Hays, Sam Walker, and Wm. R. Scurry, the first 
three (beginning with McCulloch) soldier boys at San Jacinto, 
and the next two, future Governors of Texas, and all more or less 
distinguished. 

Albert Sidney Johnston was there as inspector-general on Gen- 
oral Butler's staff. 

There was no Texas regiment at Buena Vista, but Captain 
McCulloch, with his rangers, made a daring reconnoissance of 
the Mexican position and brought to General Tavlor reliable in- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 183 



formation of Santa Anna's rapid advance. Taylor had barely 
time to throw his little army of 5000 men into the defile of An- 
gostura, This almost impregnable position alone saved the 
American army from destruction by Santa Anna's overwhelming 
force of J 7/)00 men. 

Hays and Walker raised another regiment at San Antonio the 
following winter and fought with Scott's army to the City of 
Mexico, winning many laurels for their gallantry. About the 
close of the war Walker was killed at Huamantla. Walter P. 
Lane also distinguished himself fighting under Taylor. 

The whole Texan force sent to Mexico was said to be about 
8000 men ; but, as our records in the Adjutant-General's office 
have been burned, the exact number is not known. General 
Mansfield, in his history of the war, puts the Texan soldiers in 
the Mexican war at about 6G00 men. 

In making peace in 18-18, the question arose as to the policy 
of taking more territory, by way of indemnity for losses, and of 
thus enlarging our area. It was the old question of expansion, 
argued as to Louisiana, Florida, and Texas, and in those in- 
stances decided in favor of the principle. The decision in this 
instance, as in those which preceded it, was for the acquisition of 
additional domain, and it was given practical effect in the formal 
stipulations of the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo. So Upper 
Cah'fornia and Xew Mexico were taken in and put under the 
Stars and Stripes. Pending the annexation of Texas, Senator 
Levy of Florida introduced a resolution in the United States 
Senate advising the President to negotiate with Spain for the 
cession of Cuba. 

The expansion idea is not yet dead in the United States, 
though men now think it should die. 

The advantages of the Union to Texas began at once to appear 
in the simplicity, economy, and efficiency of the State govern- 
ment. Domestic concerns, such as the business of the Land 
Office and the administration of justice, received the proper at- 
tention, as we had no longer the exclusive duty of defending our 
frontiers against foreign invasion. It devolved upon the Fed- 
eral government, also, to prevent Indian incursions upon our 
western settlements. In default of Federal protection, later on, 
the Texans protected themselves through the State rangers, and 



184 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



were reimbursed b}' rouud sums of money drawn from the Fed- 
eral treasury. 

By the terms of annexation Texas ceded to the United States 
her public edifices, navy, ports, arms, and armaments. In this 
delicate matter I understand Lieut. W. A. Tennison, of our navy, 
was agent for Texas, and that Hiram Q. Kunnels represented 
the United States. Among other arms transferred were the 
"Twin Sisters," the two cannon used at San Jacinto. Our ships 
being transferred, it was thought at the time that our naval 
officers would go with the ships and with them be incorporated 
in the United States navy. Senator Houston opposed that view, 
and the measure was never consummated. 

The First Legislature did some important work in the organ- 
ization of the courts and of the militia, in the establishment of 
the penitentiary, and in the creation of more than thirty new 
counties. Provision was made for a system of direct taxation, 
and for taking the census. Religious meetings were put under 
protection of the law. The viva voce method of voting was 
adopted; but, proving unpopular, it was soon changed to the 
secret ballot system. Under the State government our execu- 
tive's salary was then only $2000 per annum, and our legislators' 
per diem was but $3. 

Wishing to act in harmony with the great Democratic party 
of the United States, the Democratic members of the First Leg- 
islature, together with leading Democrats from different por- 
tions of the State, called a meeting in the capitol on the night of 
April 27. 1846. Its object was to appoint a central Democratic 
committee, and thus to effect complete organization for the party 
throughout the State. 

Wiliam L. Cazneau called the meeting to order, and John T. 
Mills, of Red River, was appointed chairman, and E. M. Pease 
secretary. 

Dr. John G. Chalmers, of Travis, addressed the meeting on 
the necessity of party organization, as also did Messrs. Gillett, 
of Lamar ; Gooch, of Red River, and Durham, of Bowie. 

The committee on resolutions: Dr. John G. Chalmers, of 
Travis; T. J. Chambers, of Liberty ; R. M. Williamson, of Wash- 
ington ; Hiram G. Runnels, of Brazoria ; Wm. H. Bourland, of 
Lamar; Yolney E. Howard, of Bexar; H. J. Jewett, of Robert- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 185 



son; J. A. Greer, of San Augustine; John Brown, of Nacog- 
doches; Lem D. Evans, of Red River, and C. F. McClarty, of 
Rusk, reported, in substance : Adherence to the principles of 
the Democratic party in the United States, and that meetings be 
held in the several counties to elect delegates to assemble in con- 
vention on the first Monday in November, at Washington, to 
adopt the necessary measures to carry out the principles of the 
Democratic party. 

J. S. Mayfield and R. M. Williamson supported the resolutions 
by forcible arguments. 

The central committee was composed as follows: Hiram G. 
Runnels, R. M. Williamson, Wm. H. Bourland, Daniel C. Dick- 
son, Dr. John S. Ford, Dr. Moses Johnson, Jas. Webb, John W. 
Haines, Dr. John G. Chalmers, T. J. Chambers, and Thos. H. 
Duval. It was, by resolution, made their duty to prepare an ad- 
dress to the people of Texas. ^* 

All newspapers were requested to publish the proceedings. 
This was the first Democratic convention ever held in Texas to 
etfect party organization. The Mexican war coming on, with 
other engrossing matters, the subject slept until awakened to 
activity again by avowed opposition to Democratic principles. 

The Fourth of July, 1846, had a fitting celebration in Austin 
— the first one under the Federal government. The celebration 
was both religious and political — all at the old wooden capitol. 
The Methodists appeared to lead in the religious ceremony, as 

i*The corresponding secretaries were: Wm. E. Cross, of Austin; 
E. Millican, of Brazos; Dr. E. Mabry, of Bastrop; L. H. Magee, of 
Brazoria: A. J. Russell, of Bowie; Volney E. Howard, of Bexar; Geo. 
W. Brown, of Colorado; G. A. Everts, of Fannin; Wm. S. Rayner, of 
Fort Bend; Jno. H. Moore, of Fayette; Wm. S. Hunter, of Goliad; Jno. 
D. Anderson, of Gonzales; Hugh M. McLeod, of Galveston; Edward 
Clark, of Harrison; Isaac Parker, of Houston; Peter W.Gray, of Harris; 
Cavit Armstrong, of Jefferson; 6. W. Smyth, of Jasper; F. M. White, 
of Jackson; Geo. T. Wood, of Liberty; Henderson Yoakum, of Mont- 
gomery; Geo. B. Erath, of Milam; Jas. Denson, of Matagorda; R. R. 
Gage, of Nacogdoches; Jas. Smith, of Rusk; S. H. Morgan, of Red 
River: Henry J. Jewitt, of Robertson; M. T. Johnson, of Shelby; T. G. 

Brooks, of San Augustine; J. M. Burroughs, of Sabine; Talley, of 

San Patricio; W. L. Cazneau, of Travis; Jno. W. Rose, of Victoria, and 
James Miller, of Washington. 



186 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



their presiding elder, Yell, addressed the meeting, and Dr. 

H. M. Thi-all closed it with prayer. The politicians then took 
charge of it, and Jas. H. Raymond read the Declaration of In- 
dependence, and Judge A. S. Lipscomb made a patriotic speech 
whicli was loudly applauded by the crowd. Captain Highsmith, 
with his rangers, paraded through the city and fired occasional 
salutes. At 4 p. m. a signal gun announced that the barbecue, 
prepared under the direction of Brown and Chandler, was ready. 

The dinner was spread in a beautiful liveoak grove, a few 
hundred yards west of the capitol. A large crowd participated, 
including Lieutenant-Governor Horton, Judge Lipscomb, and 
other distinguisiied officials. The sumptuous dinner dispatched, 
the inevitable toasts were offered by the toastmaster. Dr. S. G. 
Haynie, and mostly drank in Colorado water. With the regular 
toasts were these : "The day we celebrate ;" "the Republic of 
Te.xas, now no more — promising in birth, prosperous in life, and 
triumphant in death" [three cheers] ; "the State of Texas — last, 
though not least, in the glorious Union, she was the first in the 
field and will be the last to leave it" [three times three] ; 
"Thomas Jefferson — the founder of true Democracy;" "The 
heroes of the American revolution f "The heroes of the Texian 
revolution." Lieutenant-Governor Horton offered as a volunteer 
toast : "The memory of Gen. Stephen F. Austin, the founder of 
Texas — may his memory be co-extensive with the institutions of 
our country ;" Owen O'Brien : "Our distinguished representation 
in the American Congress;" Jas. M. Long (major) : "Texas as 
she was, Texas as she is, Texas forever ;" Judge Lee : "The anni- 
versary of American liberty — may it soon be celebrated in every 
town and hamlet on the American continent." 

Good feeling and order prevailed throughout the day, and the 
festivities closed at night with a grand cotillion party at the 
capitol. 

In October, 18-IG, there was a meeting in Houston of "The 
Texas Literary Institute," of which Rev. Chauncey Richardson 
was president, Isaac Henderson and Ashbel Smith vice-presi- 
dents, and Jolm Sayles and Harvey H. Allen secretaries. After 
going through with the program of exercises, they appointed a 
committee of five to receive plans for a system of public instruc- 
tion in Texas, to embrace the following subjects : The establish- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 187 



mont of one or more universities; the establishment of one or 
more colleges ; the establishment of academies, male and female ; 
the establishment of common or district schools ; the preparation 
of instructors; the best methods to get a uniform system of in- 
struction; the investment of the school fund. Eevs. Oreeneth 
Fisher and Chas. Gillett were prominent workers in the insti- 
tute, and all showed a creditable interest in promoting a good 
educational system for Texas — such as was contemplated by the 
old pioneers. 

The educational idea was never lost sight of in Texas, even 
amid our severest trials. ' 

After the capture of Monterey, General Henderson, in feeble 
health, resigned his military commission and returned to his 
executive duties in Texas, which had meanwhile devolved upon 
Lieutenant-Governor Horton. 

On his arrival in Austin General Henderson received a royal 
welcome. Thos. Wm. Ward was president of the reception com- 
mittee, and S. G. Haynie, R. M. Potter, and J. M. Swisher were 
vice-presidents. A public dinner was served in honor of the dis- 
tinguished guest. Men of all shades of political opinion par- 
ticipated. Everything went off harmoniously. Toasts were 
offered, as usual, with appropriate "airs." Among the regular 
toasts were: "The President of the United Stales" — air, "Hail 
Columbia;" "The Subjugation of Monterey — may those who 
achieved it reap the reward of their valor" — air, "Yankee 
Doodle ;" "The Army and Navy of the United States — the army 
has drawn the sword with cause ; it will not sheath it without 
honor; the navy, it bides its time;" "The Volunteers of the 
United States — true to the plow in time of peace, and ever ready 
to take the sword in time of war ;" "The Volunteers of Texas — 
let those who died at Monterey be remembered with the martyrs 
of the Alamo ; let those who survive be enrolled with the victors 
of Bexar and San Jacinto ; the subjugation of the former gave us 
confidence, the triumph of the latter established our independ- 
ence;" "Gen. J. Pinckney Henderson, our distinguished guest — 
the victorious chief, warm in the hearts of his countrymen, not 
only for his prowess in the field, but for his distinguished talents 
as a statesman." 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



General Henderson made an appropriate response, reviewing 
his course as commander of the Texans at Monterey, and assert- 
ing that he opposed the liberal terms allowed to Ampudia, and 
that he signed the articles of capitulation only as the agent of 
General Taylor. He closed with a glowing tribute to the good 
conduct and bravery of the Texan volunteers. The general's de- 
bility,, regretted by all, prevented his saying more, and he took 
his seat amidst loud cheering. 

The regular toasts having been exhausted, the following, 
among other volunteer toasts, were offered : S. G. Haynie : "The 
Memory of Brenham, Ogden, Cameron, and all the decimated of 
the Mier expedition — may Santa Anna, who gave the fatal and 
bloody order, and the officers and men who executed it, live to 
draw a 'black bean" from a Texas rifle;" K. M. Potter: "The 
Ladies of Mexico, against whom I bear no malice, whatever I 
might say of the men; to them the distress of the Texian pris- 
oners never appealed in vain, and, so far as they are concerned, 
I am a Christian and love my enemies;" David G. Burnet: 
"General Taylor and his army — the pioneers to the political and 
moral enlightenment of Mexico ;" Thos. W. Ward : "To the 
memory of Stephen F. Austin;" A. C. Horton: "Gov. J. P. 
Henderson — we hail with pleasure his safe return among us from 
a glorious campaign, in which he acted so distinguished a part, 
and trust he may be soon restored in renewed health to the 
bosom of liis family." 

An interesting part of the program w^as the recitation of Pot- 
ter's "Hymn of the Alamo" and Ira Munson's "Our Flag." 

"The company next repaired," says the Texas Democrat of 
November 18, 1846, "to the ballroom, which was tastefully orna- 
mented by evergreens and decorated by the broad flag of the 
United States and (what was dear to the heart of every Texian) 
our own proud starlit banner of by-gone days surrounded by the 
trophies of San Jacinto, the colors of the different Mexican regi- 
ments that were beaten on that famous field. Not the least finely 
executed conceit was a pyramid, erected 'To the Vanquishers of 
Monterey,' surmounted by the flags of the United States and of 
the former Republic of Texas. Youth, beauty, and wit and Avorth 
were present — pleasure danced upon every countenance — gaiety 
flashed from every eye. Fairy forms floated through the mazy 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 189 



dauce — the ear of the lovely heard, with pleasure, praises as they 
gushed from the lips of the brave and generous. The drowsy 
ear of Night was disturbed by the dulcet notes of the violin and 
the measured tread of the dance, and the sable curtain of dark- 
ness was almost withdrawn when the party dispersed. Each one 
seemed to feel that 

" 'Joy so seldom weaves a chain 
Like this to-night, that oh, 'tis pain 
To break its link so soon. ' 

"This festive affair was a marvelous reminder of the inaugura- 
tion ball of President Houston at the same place about five years 
before. But how wonderfully changed for the better the for- 
tunes of Texas now, jollifying over her old enemy in the act of 
biting the dust !" 

No Texan ever won a brighter military reputation than Hen- 
derson in the United States army before or since ; but his forte 
was statesm^anship. Henderson's state papers, as diplomat and 
Governor, entitle him to the first rank among the truly great 
men of Texas. ^^ 

1 s Henderson was from the Old North State. He reached Texas with 
his military company in 1836, just too late for the battle of San 
Jacinto. He was one of those magnetic men that impress you at first 
sight as being of no ordinary stamp. He was tall and rather delicate 
in appearance, with light hair, fair complexion, and fine gray eyes; af- 
fable, and sparkling all over with genuine vivacity. Houston soon 
learned to like him and always regarded him as one of our ablest men. 
Henderson successively filled the offices of attorney general, secretary 
of state, minister to England and France, and minister to the United 
States before becoming governor and was recognized by the bar as one 
of the most brilliant lawyers in the State. 



190 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



CHAPTEE ELEYEK 

Wood's Administration — Federal Usurpation at Santa Fe — The Public 
Debt — Governor Bell — Settlement of the Santa Fe Question — Seat of 
Government Election — Texas Newspapers — Scaling the Public 
Debt— Whig- Convention in 1853 — Election of Pease as Governor Over 
Ochiltree ^Education, Railroads, Public Buildings — Settlement of 
the Public Debt — The Know-Nothing Party — The Organized Dem- 
ocracy in 1856 — Know-Nothing Convention at Austin — Houston the 
Know-Nothing Leader in Texas — The National Canvass, and Per- 
sonal Incidents. 

In 1847, at the first general election under the State govern- 
ment, Geo. T. Wood, of Polk County, colonel of the Second Texas 
regiment at Monterey, was chosen Governor, and John A. Greer, 
of San Augustine, Lieutenant-Governor.^® ' 

The disturbing question at this time was the Santa Fe terri- 
tory. It was organized by the Second Legislature into Santa Fe 
County, and made one of the judicial districts of Texas, and 
Judge S. M. Baird was commissioned by Governor Wood to pro- 
ceed to Santa Fe and organize his court. The United States 
military forces had conquered Santa Fe in 1846, and did not 
seem disposed to acknowledge the sovereignty of Texas over that 
territory. On its first occupancy, however, by Federal troops, 
Governor Henderson had protested against it to President Polk, 
asserting the right of Texas to all the country on the east side 
of the Rio Grande, up to its source. The reply, through the Sec- 
retary of State, Mr. Buchanan, was that the Federal occitpancy 
was only temporary and not in derogation of the rights of Texas. 

' 1 6 Geo. T. Wood was a native Georgian, and came to Texas in 1836, 
about the time I arrived, and became a planter in Polk County. Wood 
was a quiet, unassuming man, of considerable force of character, as 
evidenced by his being elected Congressman of the Republic, brigadier 
general of the militia, colonel of a regiment of volunteers, and lastly. 
Governor of the State. 

He was called a good-looking man, and was of more than medium 
height; well formed, strong and vigorous in appearance. 

At the expiration of his term as Governor he retired to private life, 
and died in Panola County in 1856, 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 191 



But President Taylor refused to be bound by the action of 
President Polk, and it really seemed as if the Federal govern- 
ment, under a Whig administration, was going to show bad faith 
to Texas. Governor Wood in all his official papers vigorously 
maintained the right of Texas to Santa Fe and to all the terri- 
tory east of the Eio Grande, our western boundary line as estab- 
lished by law in 1836. The Legislature, by joint resolution, re- 
asserted that right and instructed our senators and representa- 
tives in Congress to use their utmost endeavors to have such 
measures taken by the Federal government as would secure 
Texas from any encroachment upon her rights by the people of 
Santa Fe, and requested the Governor to ask the President of 
the United States to order the military officers at Santa Fe to 
aid the officials of Texas in effecting the county organization. 
The excitement ran high in Texas, and even war appeared not 
improbable, but the matter drifted and went over for settlement 
to the next administration. 

The public debt question was also pressing for settlement. In 
a message to the Legislature, Governor Wood said : "The debt 
must be paid. The honor of the State must stand without blem- 
ish." The Legislature, in response, enacted a laAv requiring the 
Auditor and Comptroller of Public Accounts to notify through 
the newspapers of Austin, New Orleans, New York, and Wash- 
ington, all holders of claims against the Republic of Texas to 
present them for allowance on or before November, 1849. 

At the next election, in August, 1849, Wood was beaten for 
the second term by Peter Hansbrough Bell, and Greer succeeded 
himself as Lieutenant-Governor. John W. Harris was elected 
Attorney-General, James B. Shaw Comptroller, and Thos. Wm. 
Ward Commissioner of the Land Office. W. D. Miller was ap- 
pointed Secretary of State, and J. C. Pitts Adjutant-General.^f v 

1' Peter Hansbrough Bell was a Virginian — a fine type of southern 
gentleman, a well-built, handsome young fellow when he landed in 
Texas. He displayed much pluck and determination in participating 
as a private in the battle of San Jacinto. He was always affable and 
kind; became popular; rose rapidly in public estimation; commanded a 
company of rangers at an early day; fought bravely at Monterey as 
lieutenant-colonel in Wood's regiment, and then became Governor of 
Texas. He afterwards married in Washington City a wealthy lady who 



192 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



This Legislature extended the time for creditors to present 
their claims against the Eepublic to September, 1851, after 
which they would be barred, and also passed a law to pay off 
the public creditors in land at 50 cents per acre. But few ac- 
cepted this offer, as confidence in the good faith of the State 
was unimpaired. The final solution of the public debt, how- 
ever, came onJy with the settlement of the Santa Fe question by 
Congress. 

Texas had, through Governor Bell, expressed her desire to sell 
part of the public domain to the United States in order to pay 
the public debt. An opportunity soon offered by the passage 
through Congress of the Pearce boundary bill. Under this Texas 
was offered, in exchange for her Santa Fe claim, $10,000,000 
in stock, bearing 5 per cent interest, and redeemable at the end 
of fourteen years. The stock was to issue as soon as the Presi- 
dent was informed officially of the acceptance of the oft'er by 
Texas ; provided, that not more than $5,000,000 were to be paid 
until the creditors of the State filed at the treasury of the United 
States releases of claims against the United States. 

The question of the acceptance of the provisions of the Pearce 
boundary bill was decided, by popular vote, in the affirmative, 
after thorough discussion. 

Many indignation meetings, however, were held over the State, 
and it looked for awhile like the measure would be defeated and 
that a fight was inevitable. Mississippi offered to aid Texas in 
the event of war. But the Legislature accepted the bill, and thus 
a quietus was put upon two disturbing questions : the Santa Fe 
dispute was honorably settled, and the public debt put in a course 
of easy liquidation. 

The Constitution fixed the seat of government at Austin until 
1850, and then it was to be determined by a popular vote until 
1870. At that time another election was to settle the seat of gov- 
ernment question permanently. 

At the election on this subject held in March, 1850, Austin 
received 7674 votes, Palestine 1854, and Tehuacana 1143. There 

owned much slave property. After livinj^ in Texas a short time they 
removed to North Carolina. When the slaves were freed, Bell was left 
in his old age very poor. He was on the pension roll of Texas at the 
time of his death a few years ago. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 193 



were a few scattering votes cast for Washington, Huntsville, and 
other towns! So this vexed question was settled in favor of Aus- 
tin for twenty years at least. 

As an evidence of progress in Texas may be mentioned the fol- 
lowing list of newspapers published in 1849: Aegis of Truth, 
Henderson; American Flag (Spanish-English), Brownsville; 
Bonham Advertiser, Bonham; Civilian and Galveston Gazette, 
Galveston (tri- weekly and weekly) ; Colorado Tribune, Corpus 
Christi; Corpus Christi Star, Corpus Christi (Spanish-English) ; 
De Cordova's Herald and Immigrants' Guide, Houston 
(monthly) ; Telegraph arid Texas Register, Houston; Galveston 
News, Galveston (tri-weekly and weekly) ; Galveston Zeitung, 
(German, weekly and semi-weekly) ; Houston Gazette, Houston; 
Independent Monitor, Jefferson; Mercantile Advertiser, Hous- 
ton; Morning Star, Houston (tri-weekly) ; Nacogdoches Times, 
Nacogdoches; Northern Standard, Clarksville; The Pioneer, 
Palestine; Star State Patriot, Marshall; Texas Banner, Hunts- 
ville ; Texas Presbyterian, Houston ; Texas Ranger, Washington ; 
Texas Republican, Marshall; I'exas State Gazette, Austin; Texas 
Union, San Augustine; Wesleyan Banner, Houston; Western 
Star, Clarksville; Western Texan, San Antonio. 

The list is taken from an issue of the Texas Republican. Of 
these newspapers, the Telegraph, then of Columbia, is the only 
one that I can call to mind as published in Texas in 1836. In 
this list are the historic newspapers of early Texas : The Tele- 
graph and Texas Register, antedating the Eepublic ; the Galves- 
ton Nev)s, founded in 1842; the Northern Standard, Col. Chas. 
De Morse's organ; the Texas Republican, edited by Col. E. W. 
Loughery; the Morning Star (the first Texas daily), published 
by Cruger, and the Texas State Gazette, founded by W. H. Cush- 
ney in the fall of 1849. The Gazette soon got to be, under the 
editorial control and management of John Marshall, a paper of 
widespread political influence. 

The death of David S. Kaufman in 1851, at Washington, left 
a vacancy to be filled in the Eastern congressional district. Sev- 
eral candidates announced for the office, among others Richard- 
son Scurry and Judge 0. M. Roberts, the latter of whom re- 
signed his office as judge of the Fifth district to enter the race. 
At the Democratic congressional convention held at Henderson 
13 



194 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



in June, 1851, Scurry beat Koberts for the nomination, and was 
elected by a good majority at the polls. 

This, I believe was the first nominating Democratic conven- 
tion ever held in Texas. No business other than the selection of 
a candidate for Congress was transacted by it. 

In 1851 Bell was re-elected Governor, James W. Henderson 
succeeded Greer as Lieutenant-Governor, and Dr. Chas. G. 
Keenan was elected Speaker of the House. 

'' Under a system of scaling adopted by the Legislature the pub- 
lic debt began to be rapidly paid off, but not entirely to the sat- 
isfaction of all the creditors. Scaling was bad, but it was bor- 
rowed from the practice of the United States in settling their 
first war debt.'^ Governor James Hamilton, the early financial 
friend of Texas, opposed scaling in toto, saying, "What a nation 
promises to pay is its public debt." Volney Howard, Pilsbury's 
successor in the Western district, declined a re-election to Con- 
gress in the spring of 1853, and removed to California to accept 
a Federal office tendered him. 

Governor Bell, chosen congressman in Volney Howard's dis- 
trict over Wm. R. Scurry in 1853, turned over his office to Lieu- 
tenant-Governor J. W. Henderson, who acted as Governor a few 
weeks. J. W. was called by the familiar sobriquet of "Smoky," 
to distinguish him from the elegant J. Pinckney. 

In April, 1852, a Whig convention for Eastern Texas was held 
in Tyler and organized by the election of C. C. Mills, of Harri- 
son, as chairman, and J. R. Armstrong, of Rusk, and T. Lewell- 
ing, of Smith, as secretaries. 

Strong Whig, or anti-Democratic, resolutions were reported 
by the committee (Ochiltree, Trimble, Gammage, Swan, and 
John C. Robertson) and adopted. Colonel Mills was nominated 
as elector for the State at large, and Dr. Throckmorton, of Col- 
lin, elector for the First Congressional district. Wm. Stedman, 
of Harrison, and others were selected to prepare an address to 
the people. A full delegation, headed by W. B. Ochiltree and 
Ben Epperson, were appointed delegates to the ensuing National 
Whig convention. In conclusion, Jno. C. Robertson, of Smith, 
expressed his dissent from the resolutions adopted, and begged 
leave to retire from the convention. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 195 



In view of the organized opposition, the Democrats tried to 
assemble a State convention in 1853, first, in February at Aus- 
tin, and in June at Washington, but without success. 

The Whigs centered that year on W. B. Ochiltree for Gov- 
ernor. E. M. Pease, J. W. Dancy, G-eo. T. Wood, M. T. John- 
son, and Thomas J. Chambers were his Democratic opponents. 
Things began to look squally for the Democracy, but at the cru- 
cial moment M. T. Johnson nobly withdrew from the race and, 
throwing his influence to Pease, caused his election. 

David C. Dickson was elected Lieutenant-Governor; Thos J. 
Jennings, Attorney-General ; Jas. B. Shaw, Comptroller; Jas. H. 
Raymond, Treasurer, and S. R. Crosby, Commissioner of the 
Land Office. Ed. Clark was appointed Secretary of State. 

Geo. W. Smyth was elected congressman in the Eastern dis- 
trict without opposition. 

Pease, it will be remembered, was my predecessor in the comp- 
trollership under President Houston. Since that time (1837) 
he had largely developed his mental powers, and when chosen 
Governor was considered a fine constitutional lawyer, a great 
statesman, and a patriot of incorruptible integrity. Besides this. 
Pease was wideawake and progressive in his views of public 
policy. 

The Governor favored the establishment of a general educa- 
tional system, including both common schools and a university. 
On his recommendation the Legislature provided for a system of 
free schools and set apart for its maintenance $2,000,000 of the 
Santa Fe bonds. It failed to establish a university, because the 
friends of the measure disagreed as to whether there should be 
one or two universities. The school system was a crude one ; but, 
carrying with it the money endowments, indispensable to vital- 
izing the educational clause of the Constitution, it was a move 
in the right direction. 

Railroad building was encouraged by a donation of sixteen 
sections of land per mile to all companies constructing as much 
as twenty-five miles, and, for further encouragement, a loan was 
made to the railroad companies of $6000 per mile out of the 
school fund. General Sidney Sherman, as has been before men- 
tioned, was the pioneer railroad builder in Texas. His road, the 
Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio, inaugurated at Harris- 



196 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



burg in 1853, extended to the Colorado at the beginning of the 
civil war. Next was begun the Houston & Texas Central, under 
Paul Bremond. 

The Legislature also made ample provision for the building 
and endowment of the several asylums at Austin. 

The canvass of 1855 made still plainer the necessity for strict 
Democratic organization. In June of that year the Know-Noth- 
ing party held a State conventions^ at Washington, on the 
Brazos, and nominated David C. Dickson for Governor, W. G. W. 
Jowers for Lieutenant-Governor, John Hancock for Congress in 
the Western district, and Lem D. Evans for Congress in the 
Eastern district. 

Governor Pease, though not entirely acceptable to the Democ- 
racy on account of his favoring State construction of railroads, 
had no Democratic contestant, and beat Dickson about 9000 
votes. Hardin R. Runnels of Bowie was elected Lieutenant- 
Governor. Ex-Governor Bell was easily re-elected to Congress 
in his district, in spite of the efforts of the independents for 
Judge Hancock. In the east, the canvass agaist Lem. Evans 
opened with three Democratic candidates in the field: Geo. W. 
Chilton, Jno. T. Mills, and Matt Ward. Chilton and Mills, how- 
ever, soon withdrew in favor of Matt Ward. After a hard fight 
Evans was elected by a close margin. General Houston's influ- 
ence, perhaps, turning the scale in his favor. 

The new stone capitol, on Capitol hill, begun in Bell's admin- 
istration and finished in 1855, was first occupied by the Sixth 
Legislature, November 5, 1855, and Speaker H. P. Bee, on tak- 
ing the chair, made some felicitous remarks on the completion of 
the capitol. 

Governor Pease also had the honor of christening the executive 
mansion (built during his term of office) by making it his official 
residence. 

In his message to this Legislature the Governor called atten- 
tion to the subject of internal improvements and the unsatis- 
factory condition of the public debt. He boldly advocated the 

1 8 R. E. B. Baylor was the grand president; first vice-president, 
Thos. M. Likens, of Rusk; second vice-president, N. Holland, of Austin, 
third vice-president, J. L. Hewitt, of Bexar. 




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LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 197 



construction and ownership of railroads by the State, in which 
he differed from tlie Democratic party. Experience with these 
great corporations has made many Democrats, since then, favor 
Pease's policy. It is needless to say, perhaps, that I think rail- 
way legislation by a commission is the proper thing under all 
circumstances. 

The expenses of the State government had been paid out of the 
Santa Fe fund for several years, and the State taxes had been 
relinquished to the several counties for the purpose of building 
courthouses and jails. Governor Pease, believing that the time 
had come to change this policy, reconmiended the repeal of the 
law on this subject. 

Finally Congress intervened in behalf of dissatisfied creditors 
of the Republic and passed a law, first known as the "public debt 
bill," allowing Texas $2,750,000 additional to the remaining 
$5,000,000 still due. This enabled Texas to raise the scale 
adopted and pay nearer the face value of the public debt. The 
payment of this additional amount was conditioned on the re- 
linquishment by Texas of all her claims against the United 
States for Indian depredations during the existence of the Re- 
public, amounting, according to Senator Rusk, to about $3,800,- 
000. This was rather a hard bargain, and the "public debt bill" 
was submitted to a popular vote for acceptance or rejection — not 
9 bad way to settle a grave public question. The people of Texas 
accepted it at the ballot box, and the Legislature enacted the 
necessary law, after a sharp debate. With the additional funds, 
the whole debt, on its face amounting to about $11,000,000, but 
scaled down to a little more than half that amount, w^as paid as 
rapidly as the adjustments could be made. No creditors in the 
world's history ever received a greater per cent on their invest- 
ments than did the creditors of Texas. 

In this canvass an expression of sympathy for. or identification 
with, the Know-Nothing part}^, or American Ordei', as sometimes 
termed, was drawn from General Houston. In answer to a letter 
of inquiry as to his attitude towards the Know-iS[othing party 
(written from the town of Independence, in July, 1855, and 
signed by W. A. Baldwin, John C. Eldridge, Henry L. Graves, 
Geo. B. Davis. John P. Collins, Asbury Daniel, S. G. Lipscomb, 
and Jabez Dean), General Houston, under date of July 34th, 



198 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



from the same place (then his residence), wrote a long communi- 
cation, from which I make only these extracts, to show his status 
as a party man : 

"Whilst the triumphs of American principles were reverberat- 
ing throughout the Union, I was silent. When these principles 
are said to be in eclipse, I come forward in cheerfulness and de- 
clare that I believe the salvation of my country is only to be se- 
cured by an adherence to the principles of the American Order. 
. . . Secret societies have always been dangerous to despots 
and tyrants. They have denounced and proscribed Masonry; 
the pope and other potentates have crushed the ancient order in 
their dominions. . . . We have a high and holy duty to 
perform to our country, and if we, as Americans, can not main- 
tain and preserve our freedom, is it possible, or even probable, 
that we will find a safe depository in the hands of foreigners, or 
the satellites of a pope whose system of religion overwhelms all 
American Protestants with denunciations while living, and de- 
nies their bodies burial after death in Catholic countries?" 
This letter was considered an avowal of his connection with the 
Know-N'othing party, concerning which the Texas Republican 
editorially said: "General Sam Houston comes out clearly and 
unequivocally in favor of the Know-Nothing party." General 
Houston was the central figure at the great Know-Nothing rally 
at Austin on the 23d and 24th of November, during the session 
of the Legislature. On that occasion the general made a great 
speech in advocacy of Know-Nothingism as against the organ- 
ized Democracy, saying among other things: "I am a Demo- 
crat, a Jackson Democrat. I have never been anything else. He 
was the first statesman I ever admired. ... I adopt and 
admire the principles of the American party. It is the only 
party, in my opinion, whose principles will maintain the per- 
petuity of our free institutions. . . . I amx for Americans 
ruling America." 

The weather had been very inclement and it was still lowering 
the next day. Nevertheless, a grand Know-Nothing procession 
paraded around the capitol. It was headed by the San Antonio 
delegation on horseback, followed by a car full of young ladies 
dressed in tri-color and each bearing a shield representing the 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 199 



several Stales of the ITiiion. Meanwhile Gen. Hugh McLeod/^ 
addresing the Know-Nothing, or American, party and sarcastic- 
ally alluding to Houston's speech, noticed the continued had 
weather, and said : "I hope it is not an omen of the failure of 
your cause; but if it is, fellow citizens, propitiate it by a timely 
sacrifice, throw Jonah [Houston] overboard. The prophet has 
failed to deliver the true message to the people — his excuses are 
ingenuous, but deceptive, and the ship will labor as the storm in- 
creases. The sacrifice is due to Nineveh, and the ship to Democ- 
racy and America. Jonah should be thrown overboard." 

It could scarcely be said that the Texans were thoroughly 
x4.merican till they had put themselves in accord with the great 
political parties of the Union. When happily free from the em- 
barrassments of a public debt and a boundary dispute, Texas 
was ripe for party organization. Up to 1856 there were as many 
individual candidates for Governor as chose to run. Hobbies, 
apart from the great party issues, were common to all of them, 
and the canvasses appeared unseemly scrambles to get into office 
without regard to fixed principles or questions of public policy. 
Always dangerous to Democratic success, the practice had now 
grown to be a nuisance. Principles, not personalities, were to 
determine henceforth. 

At a meeting of the Democratic party, held in the hall of the 
House of Eepresentatives on the evening of the 15th of January, 
1856, on motion of Hon. H. P. Bee, Col. Matt Ward, of Cass, 
was called to the chair; whereupon, on motion of Hon. H. R. 
Runnels, of Bowie, F. R. Lubbock, of Harris, was appointed sec- 
retary. The chairman having explained the object of the meet- 
ing to be preparatory to the organizing of the Democratic con- 
vention, E. A. Palmer moved a call of the counties with the 
names of the delegates. There were ninety counties, represented 

1 9 McLeod was a Virginian and a West Pointer in military training; 
came to Texas during the revolution: was aide to Gen. Rusk in the 
Cherokee war in 1839; led the disastrous Santa Fe expedition in 1841, 
and had been a member of the Texan Congress and of the State Legis- 
lature. Houston and McLeod were not friends. He died a Confederate 
brigadier, in Virginia, in 1861. His remains rest in the State cemetery 
at Austin. 



200 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



with the names of two hundred and forty-five delegates. -° Upon 
the call being concluded, Judge J. Mills, of Lamar; Wm. E. 
Scurry, of Victoria; General Waul, of Bexar; F. K. Lubbock, of 
Harris; Colonel Hubbard and Jack Davis, of Smith; Guy M. 
Bryan, of Brazoria, and Thomas J. Jennings, were severally 
called upon and addressed the meeting. 

On motion of Ashbel Smith, of Harris, it was 

"Eesolved, That this meeting now adjourn until tomorrow at 
3 o'clock p. m., at that time to meet in convention in the hall of 
the House of Representatives." 

In accordance with the resolution passed on the 15th, the Dem- 
ocratic State convention met in the Hall of Representatives at 
3 p. m. January 16, 1856, Matt Ward, of Cass, in the chair, and 

F. R. Lubbock secretary. 

On motion of A. G. Weir, of Travis, the rules of the House of 
Representatives were adopted to govern the convention, as far 
as applicable. 

On motion. Matt Ward, of Cass, was declared by acclamation 
president of the convention. The vice-presidents were John T. 
Mills, of Lamar ; N. G. Weir, of Travis ; J. M. Devine, of Bexar ; 

G. W. Hill, of Navarro; Wm. S. Taylor, of Cherokee; J. W. 

80 Among those present, not elsewhere mentioned, were: Jesse 
Billingsly. of Bastrop; James Shaw, of Brazos; E. H. Rogan, of Caldwell; 
E. B. Scarborough, of Cameron; M. D. K. Taylor and J. P. Nash, of 
Cass; Wm. S. Taylor and R. H. Guinn, of Cherokee; H. Seele and Jacob 
Waelder, of Comal; Jos. F. Crosby, of El Paso; J. W. Dancy, of Fay- 
ette; M. M. Potter and Jno. Henry Brown, of Galveston; W. T. Lock- 
ridge, of Gonzales; C. R. Johns, of Hays; P. B. Greenwood, of Hender- 
son; R. L. Askew, of Hopkins; C. H. Randolph, of Houston: Jas. Hooker, 
of Hunt; P. M. White, of Jackson; M. J. Bonner and W. M. Williams, 
of Lamar; E. T. Branch, of Liberty; N. W. Battle and Thos. Henderson, 
of McLennan; Alex W. Sneed, of Milam; Matt WhiLtaker and Thos. P. 
Ochiltree, of Nacogdoches; G. W. Hill, of Navarro; W. R. Poag, of 
Panola; W. R. Moore, of Polk; Giles Boggess, M. D. Ector, J. H. Parsons 
and C. J. Garrison, of Rusk; G. W. Chilton and E. E. Lott, of Smith; 
Isaac Parker, of Tarrant; W. S. Oldham, Jas. G. Swisher, G. W. Pas- 
chal, P. DeCordova, P. B. Calhoun, A. W. Terrell, Jno. Marshall, Geo. 
Flournoy; Jno. W. Harris and E. M. Pease, of Travis; N. B. Charlton, 
of Tyler; Jno. J. Lynn, of Victoria: Jno. S. Besser, of Walker: J. W. 
McDade and Jas. Willie, of Washington; Jonathan Russell and Henry 
Stout, of Wood. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 201 



Dancy, of Fa3^ette. F. R. Lubbock, T. J. Johnson of Cherokee, 
and R. E. Clements of Bexar, were declared secretaries. 

As the basis of representation it was resolved, on motion of 
Mr. Brown, of Galveston, 

"1. That every county in the State which may have dele- 
gates in this convention shall be entitled to one vote, regardless 
of its representation in the State Legislature. 

"2. That all counties entitled to separate representation in 
the State Legislature shall, in addition to the vote aforesaid, be 
entitled to as many additional votes as such county or counties 
may have separate representatives in the House of Representa- 
tives." 

Where a county had no delegate in the convention, any re- 
spectable citizen of that county was allowed, on motion of R. B. 
Hubbard, a seat as its representative. Over two hundred dele- 
gates were present from ninety-one out of ninety-nine counties. 

The committee on the platform consisted of J. H. Carsons, 
chairman ; T. N. Waul, Ashbel Smith, Wm. S. Taylor, Wm. R. 
Scurry, C. R. Johns, Nat Terry, John T. J\rills, Geo. W. Paschal, 
H. R. Runnels, H. P. Bee, J. M. Burroughs, and M. M. Potter. 

The main features of the platform adopted, were reaffirmance 
of the principles of the Democratic party, as embodied in the 
Baltimore platform of 1853; opposition to all secret political 
societies, whether called American, Know-Nothing, or by any 
other delusive name; opposition to all proscription on account 
of place of birth or particular religious creed; endorsement of 
the Kansas-Nebraska Act as "a triumph of the Constitution over 
fanaticism and sectional madness;" equality of the States and 
the right of slavery to protection in the Territories until ad- 
mitted as States into the Union, at which time the people will 
say in their Constitutions whether slavery is to be tolerated any 
longer or not. 

Mr. Chilton, of Smith, offered a resolution approving the vote 
of Senator Rusk and condemning that of Senator Houston on 
the Kansas-Nebraska bill. On a portion of the language of said 
resolution there was considerable discussion, in which Mr. Chil- 
ton favored and Messrs. Davis of Smith, Scott, Ashbel Smith 
of Harris, Oldham, Mills of Lamar, Waul and Lubbock opposed 



202 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



the adoption of the resolution, whereupon Judge Oldham offered 
the following substitute, which was unanimously adopted : 

"liesolved, That this convention do most fully and cordially 
indorse and approve the votes of Senator Kusk and Represen- 
tatives Geo. W. Smyth and Peter H. Bell upon the Kansas-Ne- 
braska Act, and that we do further most decidedly disapprove 
the vote of Senator Houston upon said act, as not in accordance 
with tlu^ Democracy of Texas." 

My unwavering personal regard for General Houston caused 
me to oppose the strong condemnatory original resolution ; yet 
it could nol be denied that Houston, in his vote on the Kansas- 
Nebraska Act, had parted company with the Texas Democracy. 
] voted for the substitute. Though we belonged to opposing 
political parties after 1854, our friendship was never interrupted 
to my knov/ledge. I never ceased to respect him for his talents 
and patriotism. 

There appeared in the convention several political aspirants 
fresh from the ranks of Know-Nothingism who, in my opinion, 
were ready to bolt if they failed to get the desired nomination. 
For their s])eeiai benefit I submitted the following resolution: 

"Resolved, That this convention will support no person as a 
nominee for any office, or place of trust, unless fully satisfied by 
his acts and declarations, or the assurance of his friends in this 
convention, that he is fully united with the Democratic party 
upon all the issues now existing between them and their op- 
ponents, and that such nominee will abide the decision of this 
convention and support all its nominees with zeal and fervency." 

Its appositeness was at once seen, and after a little discussion 
it was adopted. 

The following nominations were made: Attorney-General, 
James Willie, over T. J. Jennings; Comptroller, Jas. B. Shaw 
[My name was put before the convention with that of Mr. Shaw. 
This was a surprise to me, and as I did not wish the honor, I 
quickly arose and addressed the convention, declining the nomi- 
nation in favor of Mr. Shaw, who was then declared the nomi- 
nee by acclamation] ; Treasurer, Jas. H. Raymond, over M. D. 
Ector, C. H. Randolph, and N. B. Charlton. 

The following were selected as delegates to the National Dem- 
ocratic convention at Cincinnati : Eastern district. Matt Ward, 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 203 



R. B. Hubbard, W. C. Pollock, S. R. G. Mills ; Western district, 
H. P. Bee, Guy M. Bryan, Jacob Waelder, W. S. Oldham. And 
the following as presidential electors : State at large, Frank W. 
Bowden and Win. R. Scurry; Eastern district, A. J. Hood; 
Western district, A. J. Hamilton. 

Besides these, as a hot canvass was anticipated, sub-electors 
were appointed for the seventeen judicial districts of the State. 
I was sub-elector for the Seventh judicial district. 

Ashbel Smith, T. N. Waul, M. M. Potter, Nat Terry, M. D. 
Ector, Bird Holland, and N. B. Charlton were appointed a com- 
mittee to prepare an address to the people, tmd the following 
were selected as a State Central Committee: Geo. W. Paschal, 
S. G. Sneed, G. W. Chilton, S. H. Morgan, Jas. C. Wilson, J. 
Pinckney Henderson, Thos. S. Lubbock, and John J. Linn — men 
afterwards widely diverging in political sentiment. 

The convention "resolved" John Henry Brown and myself 
into a committee to superintend the printing and distribution 
of its proceedings, and thus forced on me a little longer stay in 
Austin. 

The Siaie Gazette (John Marshall and W. S. Oldham, edi- 
tors) complimented President Matt Ward on his efficient and 
impartial discharge of the duties of presiding officer, and for that 
portion of his utterances in which "he proceeded to caution the 
Democratic party against, and condemn, that class of men who 
claim to be Democrats and yet advocate the principles of Know- 
Nothingism." 

The ticket seems to have been acceptable, as the Telegraph 
says editorially : "Every name will prove a tower of strength."^^ 

2 1 "We congratulate the party in this county and district, " continues 
the Telegrapfi, "on the selection of our friend Francis R. Lubbock. Esq., 
as district elector. Mr. Lubbock is, and always was, a staunch and 
unflinching friend to the party, and possessing so great a degree of per- 
sonal popularity and thorough ability to defend the principles of the 
platform, he will bo carried triumphantly through the canvass. A bet- 
ter selection could not have been made." After noticing Mr. Lubbock's 
withdrawal in favor of Shaw for Comptroller, the Telegraph says: "Mr. 
Lubbock held the office (Comptroller) in the early days of the old Re- 
public and discharged its duties with great ability and faithfulness, and 
those now who knew him well would place his claims on the score of 
fitness second to none in the State." — Ed. 



204 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



My resolution on party fealty and obligation continued the 
rule in Democratic conventions until the doctrine was uidver- 
sally accepted by fair-minded men. It was indeed a kind of par- 
aphrase of the golden rule as applied to politics. I have never 
thought of departing from it; not that I have always approved, 
in my conscience, of party action,, for that in some instances has 
been contrary to my judgment, but for the reason that fidelity 
to the party in whose cardinal principles I fully believe is under 
an}'^ and all circumstances preferable to giving aid and comfort 
to its enemies. This conviction is based upon the fact that party 
government is necessary in all free countries, especially in ours. 

The State convention of the American, or Know-T^Tothing, 
party was held at Austin January 21, 1856. 

John Caldwell, of Bastrop, was elected president, and the sec- 
retaries were L. H. Hutchings, of Travis, and Ben F. Hill, of 
Calhoun. 

Gen. Hugh McLeod, Hon. W. P. Kittrell, and Judge J. W. 
Allen, being successively called upon, most eloquently addressed 
the convention in advocacy of the principles of the American 
party, as also did W. H. Henderson, of Travis, B. B. Fly, of Gon- 
zales, and J. W. Flanagan, of Rusk. 

The presidential electors were : John A. Wilcox, of Bexar, 
and Eobert H. Taylor, of Fannin, for the State at large ; J. W. 
Flanagan, of Eusk, for the Eastern district, and Thomas W. 
Blake, of Leon, for the Western district. Wm. Stedman, of 
Rusk, was nominated for Attorney-General; Wm. Tarlton, of 
Harrison, for Treasurer, and E. S. C. Robertson, of Bell, for 
Comptroller. 

The platform expressed devotion to the Constitution and the 
Union, and declared in favor of native Americans for office ; ex- 
tension of the naturalization period for foreigners to twenty- 
one years ; liberty of conscience and liberty of the press, and the 
abolishment of the secrecy in the party's proceedings. It 
omitted the clause in the national platform proscribing Catholics. 

The national platform, adopted at Philadelphia, February 21, 
1856, professed fealty to the Constitution and Union; opposed 
interference with slavery in the States ; declared that Americans 
must rule America ; favored requiring a residence of twenty-one 
years in the country for the naturalization of foreigners, and 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 205 



opijosed the elevation to office of an}' person who acknowledged 
allegiance to any foreign prince, potentate, or power. The latter 
enunciation was aimed at the Catholics, who, it was claimed, ac- 
knowledged allegiance to the pope. According to Know-Nothing 
tenets, none but native-born Protestant citizens should be fa- 
vored for office. Ex-President Millard Fillmore and Andrew 
Jackson Donelson, the latter of whom figured so prominently in 
annexation, were put forward as the party's national standard 
bearers. 

General Houston was the acknowledged leader of the Know- 
Nothing party in Texas, and had already thrown down the 
gauntlet of defiance to the Democracy in a great speech under 
the very nose of a Democratic Legislature. 

My cattle business, persisted in for ten years on Briscoe's ad- 
vice, had indeed proved prosperous before the end of that period, 
and the ranch and farm were in 1855 paying a large revenue over 
and above expenses. In fact, I had become the largest cattle 
owner between the Trinity and the Brazos. This was the result 
of close attention to business and giving it my personal super- 
vision, while a responsible deputy kept in good shape the affairs 
of the district clerk's office. 

I now felt safe in venturing out into State politics, and T had 
no hesitancy in accepting the position of delegate to represent 
my county in the first Democratic State convention ever held in 
Texas, and being appointed one of the sub-electors, I felt in 
honor bound to serve the party. 

In 1856 the National Democracy was confronted by two new 
hostile political organizations, to wit, the Eepublican party, the 
embodiment of the anti-slavery idea, and the American, or 
Know-Nothing, party, whose cardinal principle was the proscrip- 
tion of foreigners and Catholics. 

As a district elector in the presidential canvass of 1856, I 
made an active canvass in the counties east of the Brazos River, 
including Harris, Montgomery, Walker, Grimes, Polk. Tyler, 
Trinity, Houston, Anderson, Cherokee, Madison, Leon, Rusk, 
and others. 

While the Know-Xothing party had been about killed off in 
Virginia by the forcible teachings of the great Henry A. Wise, 
it still lingered in Texas, and that party and all the isms were 



206 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



fighting, as they have ever done, the Democratic party, so that it 
made the canvass interesting and somewhat heated. 

I recall an incident that took place in Madison County while 
I was addressing a large audience, with General Blake and Cap- 
tain Whaley, my opponents, sitting on the stand. Whaley after- 
wards commanded a fine company in the Confederate army, 
called the "Leon Eifles/' and died gallantly on the battlefield. 

An old man, rising up from his seat, called to me in a sten- 
torian voice : Stop, sir, stop !' ' I complied with his request. He 
went on to tell me that I was an ingrate, a deceiver, a backslider ; 
how dared 1 come traveling over the country making war on the 
Know-Nothings, when I had before that traveled around the 
country organizing lodges and persuading the people to join that 
party. 1 soon saw the drift of his charges and allowed him to 
give me a most terrible scourging, knowing full well that I 
should turn the occurrence greatly to my advantage and his com- 
plete demolition. Upon his taking his seat I denied most em- 
phatically every assertion he had made. He became very restive 
at my denial. I then appealed to Blake and Whaley to sustain 
me. They were Know-Nothings, and knew I was not. After 
keeping the old man on the rack for awhile, I explained that it 
was a brother of mine who had allowed himself to be drawn into 
that party with so many other good Democrats, and then de- 
picted my love for this brother and his love for me, and 3^et how 
he had, as I said, sneaked in without telling me a word of it, 
knowing my animosity to all secret political parties, and that it 
was about the only step he ever took in his mature life without 
conferring with me. The old man was completely demolished 
and entirely reconciled when I got through, admitting that he 
had been, as he expressed it, "fooled into that crowd himself." 

While on this canvass,. A. P. Wiley, Esq., a lawv^er of note and 
a fine speaker, residing at Huntsville, Walker County, visited 
several points with me. In hastening to Huntsville, at which 
place speaking was to take place the next morning at a barbecue, 
night overtook us amid the pines and tall trees near there. 
A stranger to the road myself, Wiley was the guide. At that 
time considerable milling was done near the town, and he drove 
our horse into a mill road. We floundered about through the 
timber from road to road. It was very warm — an August day. 



LUBBOCK' 8 MEMOIRS. 207 



We had gone through an exciting day; both of us had made 
long speeches, and then we were badly lost in the woods. Wiley 
would get out of the buggy, examine the road, get in, and 
start again. Upon getting in the buggy after quite a trot in 
the road, fatigued, the perspiration rolling off him, he turned 
to me and said in the most plaintive manner : "Lubbock, we 
are doing a deal of hard work, undergoing great hardships 
and trials for Buchanan ; do you think he will ever hear of it ?" 
I replied, "It's all right; we are working for the Democratic 
party." 

Apropos of this, after Mr. Buchanan was elected I visited 
Washington City. Our Senator Wigfall gave me an opportunity 
to see the President, and said to him: "I wish to introduce to 
you a Texas friend of mine. No man in that State labored more 
earnestly in your election, and I wish to say he desires nothing." 
Mr. Buchanan shook me by the hand and appeared quite amazed 
at the announcement, saying, "It is really strange that your 
friend wants nothing." I know he was glad to see a good Demo- 
crat that time. 

In this canvass the Democratic speakers had clearly the inside 
track, pleading for equal rights to all, without regard to reli- 
gious belief or nationality. Besides, the Democratic party was 
the annexation party in the United States, and Texas had been 
almost a unit on that question. The opposition speakers could 
not hold their own on the issues presented, and Texas went Dem- 
ocratic by twelve or fifteen thousand majority. 

The Know-Nothing party in the presidential canvass of 1856 
carried only one State — little Maryland. 

Its first national canvass was its last. The party then sunk 
into oblivion. Even General Houston's great name was not able 
to give respectable vigor in Texas to a party whose tenets were 
so abhorrent to the ideas of free government cherished by the 
Democracy and the American people at large. Its memory was 
so unsavory that many Know-Nothing leaders the very next year 
(1857) denied all connection with that party until it was proved 
up on them. General Houston himself ignored poor old Fill- 
more, and set himself down in the canvass of 1857 as being a 
Jackson Democrat and as having always been one, as if Jackson 
Democracy was identical with Know-Nothingism. The general 



208 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



had, however, prepared himself for this change in his Independ- 
dence letter of 1855, in which he claimed, in substance, that 
Washington and Jackson were Know-JSTothings. He had also 
said at Rusk, ten days before coming to Austin, that modern 
Democracy proposed no remedy against papal influence; that 
the Whig party had lost its identity, and that there was only one 
party to which the American people could look for governmental 
reforms and protection against threatening danger. To that 
party, he said, he looked with most sanguine expectations for our 
beloved country to be redeemed from its perilous condition, and 
in that connection expressed the opinion that the time was rap- 
idly approaching when Americans must govern America, or our 
great efforts for freedom prove a failure. 

As to the general's identification with Know-Nothingism, Col. 
Jno. S. Ford, himself a strong Know-Nothing, editorially says 
in the Texas State Times of January 19, 1856 : "General Hous- 
ton has evinced a moral courage in his defense of the American 
party and its principles which his enemies would not have ac- 
corded him. . . . The party has had no more eloquent, fear- 
less, and powerful advocate than General Houston. His speeches 
have told with effect upon the masses." 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 209 



CHAPTER TWELVE. 

Waco Convention and Its Nominees, Runnels and Lubbock vs. Houston 
and Grimes — Candidates for Congress — ^ Canvass for the State Ticket 
— Reagan and Evans Difficulty — Various Incidents — Complete 
Democratic Victory. 

The Democratic State convention of 1857 met at Waco in the 
Baptist Church on May 14th. There were ninety-three counties 
represented and two hundred and fifty-four delegates present. 

M. D. Ector was called to the chair. 

Adolphus G. Weir was elected president of the convention, 
and M. D. Ector, S. Holland, Sam Bogart, and J. W. Dancy vice 
presidents. 

A. B. Burleson and Thos. P. Ochiltree were appointed ser- 
geants-at-arms, and R. T. Brownrigg, R. W. Raine, and H. P. 
Patrick secretaries. 

At request of the convention, F. R. Lubbock assisted the sec- 
retaries, and W. F. Weeks acted as reporter. On request, Hon. 
Louis T. Wigfall, of Harrison, made a speech on "State Rights 
and the Strict Construction of the Constitution." It was quite 
able and it was loudly applauded. 

Nat Terry, of Tarrant, offered a resolution pledging the dele- 
gates to support the nominees with zeal. After various amend- 
ments to the same, and Chilton and myself had made warm 
speeches in its support, some conciliatory remarks were made by 
T. N. Waul and L. T. Wigfall, and Geo. W. Paschal offered this 
substitute : "Resolved, that this convention will support no per- 
son as a nominee for any oflfiee or place of trust unless fully satis- 
fied by his acts and declarations, or the assurance of his friends 
to the convention, that he is fully united with the Democratic 
party upon all the issues now existing between them and their 
opponents, and that such nominee will abide the decision of this 
convention and support all the nominees with zeal and fer- 
vency." This was adopted without opposition on the approval of 
the platform committee. This was but a reiteration of my reso- 
lution of 18.5G. 

The platform committee, consisting of Ashbel Smith, A. J. 
14 



210 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Hamilton, J. B. Eobertson, T. N. Waul, W. B. Ochiltree, L. T. 
Wigfall, J. A. Wharton, G. W. Chilton, Nat Terry, C. Upson, 
and B. Burleson, reported, favoring the adoption of the Cincin- 
nati platform and the Kentucky and Virginia resolutions of 
1798-99 on national issues, without defining a State policy at 
home. 

An effort was made to offer a State platform with a hanking 
clause to be submitted as a constitutional amendment to the peo- 
ple, but it was tabled. 

There was some fun in nominating the Commissioner of the 
General Land Office. The convention, was really anxious to 
nominate Capt. Stephen Crosby, the incumbent of the office, and 
without doubt one of the most popular officers and men in the 
State. He, however, had strayed off from the Democratic party 
and joined the Know-Nothings. The convention was well aware 
that if he was not their nominee he would run on the Houston 
ticket, adding to that ticket great strength. He was put in nomi- 
nation by Dr. J. M. Steiner, a good and true Democrat. He too 
had been one of the estrays. Objection was made to the nomi- 
nation unless some one was authorized by Captain Crosl)y to put 
him before the convention and pledge him to the action of the 
convention. Delegate after delegate addressed the chair, explain- 
ing how he was led into the Know-Nothing party. Finally, Dr. 
Steiner, having paid close attention to the various reasons as- 
signed, addressed the chair : "Mr. Chairman, I was a Know- 
Nothing. T have examined the Constitution of the United States 
and the statutes at large of the United States ; I have carefully 
read the Constitution of the State of Texas and the laws of 
Texas, and nowhere do I find that a man is punished for being a 
d — n fool." No one ventured further to assign reasons. 

So Crosby was shelved by the operation of my rule, and he 
continued with the independents, as was expected. 

There was no trouble in putting out a straight Democratic 
ticket. 

H. R. Runnels, of Bowie, M. T. Johnson, of Tarrant, Geo. W. 
Smyth, of Jasper, and A. M. Lewis, of Washington, entered the 
lists for Governor. On the first ballot Mr. Runnels led with 
64 votes out of 143 in all. The name of Mr. Smyth was with- 
drawn previous to the seventh ballot. After the seventh ballot 



l^UBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 211 



the names oi Johnson and Lewis were withdrawn, and H. E. 
Runnels was unanimously declared the nominee of the conven- 
tion for Governor. 

For Lieutenant-Governor, F. R. Lubbock, of Harris, and F. M. 
White, of Jackson, were put in nomination. On the first ballot 
F. R. Lubbock received 88 votes and F. M. White 47 ; whereupon 
White's name was withdrawn and Lubbock was nominated by 
acclamation. The result did not surprise me, as I had good back- 
ing at home and abroad. -- 

Francis M. White was nominated for Commissioner of the 
Land Office over Giraud, of Bexar, and Dr. Ross, of Rusk. 

C. R. Johns received the nomination for Comptroller, and 
C. H. Randolph that for Treasurer. 

Mr. Runnels was a man of fine abilities, though no orator, and 
was not without considerable political experience. Coming from 
Mississippi to the Republic in 1841, he engaged at once in cotton 
planting on Red River. Subsequently entering public life, he 
represented his county (Bowie) four terms in the Legislature, 
and became Speaker of the House in the Pease administration, 
fulfilling its duties quite creditably. He was of medium size, 
probably five feet eight inches in height, florid complexion, with 
light hair and gray eyes. 

The only objection to Runnels was his apparent unfriendliness 
to railroads. ^^ 

2 2 From minutes of the Harris County convention, February 21, 1857: 
"Resolved, that the suggestion of the name of our fellow-countryman, 
Francis R. Lubbock, for the office of Lieutenant-Governor, coming as it 
does from various parts of the State, is a well-merited compliment to 
an honest and able Democrat, who is and ever has been true and relia- 
ble, and that said suggestion meets our warm and cordial approbation, 
and should he receive the nomination it will be ratified at the polls by 
the cordial support of the Democrats of Harris." 

The Harrison Flag having announced that the name of Hon. F. R. 
Lubbock would probably be presented to the Waco convention for the 
office of Lieutenant-Governor, closed a sketch of his life with this 
compliment: "Lubbock has been throughout a consistent, zealous, and 
unfaltering Democrat, a man of fine business qualities and intelligence, 
and universally popular with those who know him." — Ed. 

2 ■5 To illustrate this opinion, the editor quotes this extract from the 
InteUUjencer of May 13th: "Whatever may have been heretofore want- 
ing in the zealous advocacy of the only feasible means of building rail- 



212 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



The congressional convention for the Western district met at 
Waco immediately on the adjourmnent of the State convention. 
The Hon. Guy M. Bryan was nominated as the Democratic can- 
didate for Congress over Ham. P. Bee, M. M. Potter, and A. P. 
Wiley. 

Of the nominee, the Intelligencer (newspaper) editorially 
said: "Colonel Bryan . . . has grown up with the coun- 
try's growth and strengthened with its strength. He has served 
his representative and senatorial districts in both branches of our 
State Legislature with honor. He has never been a violent par- 
tisan, but is a decided Democrat." 

Colonel Bryan, the nephew of Stephen F. Austin and the 
worthy successor of ex-Governor Bell in Congress, was born in 
Missouri in 1831, came to Texas in 1831, graduated at Kenyon 
College, Ohio, the classmate of R. B. Hayes (afterward President 
of the United States), was a Pierce and King elector for the 
State at large in 1852 and delegate to the National Democratic 
convention at Cincinnati in 1856. 

The convention for the Eastern district met at Tyler on May 
13, 1857. General Taylor, of Cherokee, was the chairman, and 
Thos. P. Ochiltree, G. W. Chilton, and Judge Cantley, secre- 
taries Judge Jno. H. Eeagan,-* after a sharp contest, was nomi- 

roads, by the chosen candidate for Governor is fully made up by the 
uniform and fervently zealous advocacy of these measures by the can- 
didate for Lieutenant-Governor, F. R. Lubbock. This gentleman, from 
his local position, reflects the railroad spirit of the State. His earnest 
eloquence and great firmness will make him a successful advocate upon 
the stump. As president of the Senate he would have a casting vote, 
and like Dickson, he will use it on the side of progress. His more im- 
mediate connection with the Legislature will give him much influence. 
But why say more? His new relation satisfies everybody and makes 
his accomplished opponent, Frank White, the happiest fellow in the 
world." 

8* Judge Reagan was born in Tennessee in 1818; came to Texas in 
1839; first engaged in surveying, then represented his district accepta- 
bly in the State Legislature, and afterwards became district judge. 
After two terms in the United States Congress, became Confederate 
Postmaster-General, then member of United States Congress, United 
States Senator, and finally chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission. 
Judge Reagan has. together with his national reputation, long enjoyed 
a pre-eminence among the statesmen of Texas. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 213 



nated,, beating Malcolm D. Graham, Lane, Pendleton ]\Iur- 

rah, and Geo. W. Smyth. Before the balloting, the two-thirds 
rule was adopted, but after twenty or more ineffectual ballots, on 
motion of Judge Brooks, of San Augustine, the majority rule 
was restored, and the nomination was made on the next ballot. 
Judge Eeagan, when notified of his nomination, was holding 
court at Kaufman, where he wrote his letter of acceptance to the 
committee, J. I. Burton, M. D. Ector, Wm. M. Taylor, and Jno. 
M. Crockett. Resigning his judicial office. Judge Reagan en- 
tered at once upon the canvass, beginning with a speech in his 
home count}^, at Palestine, early in June. 

The Travis County Democratic convention met at Austin two 
days after the State convention to ratify the nominations of the 
Waco convention and to elect delegates to the judicial convention 
at Lockhart and delegates to the floatorial convention at Bastrop. 

S. G. Sneed was the president, and John Marshall, A. G. Weir, 
and J. C. Tannehill vice-presidents, and P. DeCordova and Wil- 
liam D. Patten secretaries. 

Geo. W. Paschal moved that the convention ratify all the 
nominations and the platform adopted by the State convention 
at Waco, and that all those taking part in the convention pledge 
themselves to support the candidates with fervency and zeal ; and 
the motion carried. 

From the earnestness with which Mr. Paschal pushed my test 
resolution through various conventions, I had great confidence in 
his Democracy at the time. 

"Old Sam in the Field !" Under this head, two days before 
the Waco convention, was announced in the Huntsville Uecorder 
the independent candidacy of General Houston for Governor. 
The Know-Nothing party having been killed off the previous 
year, the general now claimed to be a Jackson Democrat and that 
he had always been one, as if it had been possible that a Jackson 
Democrat could advocate Know-Nothingism as he had but re- 
cently done. Houston had a wonderful knack at explanation, but 
it was hard to see how he could explain his late political change 
of front. 

The convention at Waco had been most harmonious, and when 
separating, every delegate realized that there would be work to 



214 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



do, as General Houston and his friends would make herculean 
efforts to beat the ticket nominated. 

It was well understood that our nominee for Governor would 
not attempt a thorough canvass. He might visit some localities 
in a quiet way, but he would not make speeches. Although he 
had been Speaker of the House of Representatives and was then 
Lieutenant-Governor, and recognized as an able legislator and 
intelligent man, he was not a popular speaker. 

My friends expected me to make a thorough canvass, and I 
promised to do the best I could for our ticket. 

In a very few days after the adjournment of the convention my 
arrangements were made, and I resigned the office of district 
clerk of Harris County. My wife and I left our ranch, riding 
in a light Rockaway drawn by a pair of horses. A negro boy on 
horseback went along to care for our team. 

My first speech was made at Lynchburg, in Harris County; 
second and third in Liberty County, low down on the Trinity 
River. We had no railroads or telegraph lines, so that the ap- 
pointments had to be sent forward by mail. From day to day 
we jogged along, stopping at the county towns, generally about 
thirty miles apart, the roads at times being very rough and in 
wet weather very boggy, and in places at times almost im- 
passable The speaking in a general way was made immediately 
after a noon dinner. It then, in most instances, required us to 
leave the town and travel that afternoon from ten to twenty 
miles according to circumstances, so as to be on hand the next 
day in time to speak again at noon. 

Nothing of much interest occurred until we reached Sumpter, 
Trinity County. It was then a small, unpretentious county seat. 
Riding up to the hotel we asked for a room, which was supplied. 
Upon inquiry of the landlord, he informed me that he had not 
learned that I was to speak there, and knew nothing of it. With- 
out taking time to wash my hands or brush the dust from my 
clothing, I hastened down to the public square. I was a perfect 
stranger to the place and people. In passing along the main 
thoroughfare I noticed quite a number of persons in front of a 
building. I crossed over the street and walked up to the crowd. 
In a moment I took in the situation and felt satisfied there would 
be no offense taken, and so I remarked : "I am from a long and 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 215 



dusty travel, am tirod, and feel like taking a drink. Walk in, 
gentlemen, and join me." The entire party walked in. After 
refreshing ourselves, I said : "I have come to make a speech. I 
am F. E. Lubbock, the Democratic candidate for Lieutenant- 
Governor." They responded by saying, "We understand that, 
and have come in from the country to hear you." "Well," said I, 
"the landlord told me that he had heard nothing of it; that he 
did not know anything of any Democratic speaking to take 
place." "No," they said, "of course he knew nothing, for he is a 
mean old Know-Nothing, and would not have told you even had 
he known." 

I excused myself and started for the hotel, flattering myself 
that I was to have it all my own way. Being somewhat of a 
novice in political speaking, I was not particularly desirous of 
encountering any of the big guns of the opposition. Before pro- 
ceeding many yards, however, I met one of their best men, a par- 
ticular friend of mine, Col. A. T. Branch, then the district attor- 
ney of that district, and subsequently a member of the Confeder- 
ate Congress. He informed me that he was there by request to 
canvass a few counties with me in the interest of General Hous- 
ton. We at once arranged for the speaking after dinner, he to 
make the opening speech, I to reply; he to rejoin, and I to close. 
He took the stand at the appointed time. He was a good, forcible, 
pleasant speaker, and quite well posted. It must be borne in 
mind that the people of Texas were then as now overwhelmingly 
Democratic, so that the opposition to the Democratic nominees 
would take the ground that they were as good Democrats as the 
regular convention Democrats ; that, however, they were not col- 
lar Democrats, and so they claimed the right to be independent, 
to vote as they pleased, and that in supporting the independent 
ticket, with Sam Houston at its head, they were entitled to 
Democratic votes, and they should not be held responsible because 
the old Whigs, Know-Nothings, and others voted their ticket, 
looking to reforming and checking the abuses of the Democratic 
party. It was not surprising to me that my friend Branch, know- 
ing that his audience was largely Democratic, should make an 
orthodox Democratic speech ; hence I attempted to show in my 
reply that, while he laid down very good Democratic doctrine and 
gave very good advice to the Democracy, he was not the proper 



ai6 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



party from whom we were to receive instruction, and 1 proceeded 
at once to attack his political record by charging that he was a 
Whig in Virginia ; that upon his advent into Texas he subscribed 
funds for the purchase of powder to celebrate the victory of Gen- 
eral Taylor, the Whig candidate for the presidency, over our 
Democratic candidate. General Cass; that he had voted against 
the Democratic party whenever an opportunity presented; and 
finally, that he had drifted into the Know-Nothing party, and 
hence could not be relied upon to teach what was for the good of 
the Democratic party. He was paralyzed by my reply, for he 
could see that those people rejected him as a teacher. After the 
speaking we talked over matters in a friendly way. Branch said 
I was unfair in treating of his former political record ; that I 
should have relied upon political principles. I replied by saying: 
"Branch, you are a fine lawyer and an able debater. I deemed it 
entirely legitimate for me to break the force of your arguments 
by showing if I could that you were not a safe counsellor for the 
Democrats — that you were a Democrat to make capital for the 
Know-Xothings — and that was the most effective method for me 
to block your way." 

We next went traveling in company to Crockett, Houston 
County, one of the counties in his judicial district. Very much 
the same program was carried out there, and the same line of 
speaking. After the speaking was over. Branch said to me : "I 
am tired of this canvassing ; I am doing no good ; my business is 
suffering, and so good-bye. I will go home." 

I am reminded of an occurrence at Woodville, Tyler County, 
which was quite encouraging to me. During my speech a good- 
looking man walked up to the stand and said : "I w^ant to tell 
you that T have been voting against the Democrats all my life. 
From this day on I am witli you. Your speech has convinced me 
that I have been on the wrong side." 

After visiting several counties, speaking daily, I reached 
Nacogdoolies, the old home of Gen. Sam Houston, where he had 
many lifelong friends and earnest supporters. I dreaded the 
ordeal here. Some of my warm friends and supporters were 
also supporting General Houston, and while through the entire 
canvass T ever spoke respectfully and kindly of him, just as I 
felt, I was of course compelled to show w^hy Democrats could not 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 217 



consistently vote for him. Maj. E. W. Cave, then a very young 
man, an editor of a paper published at Nacogdoches, and after- 
wards Governor Houston's Secretary of State, replied to me, and 
for one so young in politics he proved himself a very able debater. 
I found him a foeman well worthy of my steel, and he kept me 
well exercised. He has since made quite a reputation, not only 
as an excellent business man but as a most accomplished speaker. 

My next appointment was at Mount Enterprise, Rusk County. 
I was exceedingly anxious to reach this point in time. There was 
considerable opposition to our ticket, and a large Know-Nothing 
element at that box. The day before Mrs. Lubbock was taken 
quite ill. Dr. Starr, at whose home we dined, a very dear and 
good friend of ours, had given Mrs. L. medicine, and decided 
that she could not continue the travel that day. There was no 
alternative but to submit and fail to keep the Mount Enterprise 
appointment. There was no way to send notice, so that I retired 
at night bowing to the circumstances. About midnight my wife, 
after having a refreshing sleep, called to me, saying: "I feel 
very much better. I know how it will put you out to miss your 
appointment to-morrow; so we had better try to make it." I told 
her it would be impossible to fill it unless we started as soon as it 
was light ; that it was thirty miles over a very rough, wooded 
road, and I feared she was not well enough to attempt the trip. 
She insisted that she was equal to it and that we must go. I im- 
mediately called our boy Washington, and told him to give the 
horses more feed and have them harnessed and ready, as we 
would leave as soon as we could see our way out of the town. We 
were up and left promptly. The road was sandy and full of shin- 
oak roots, and we had a rough ride. With all my pushing it was 
4 o'clock p. m. when I arrived. Others had spoken, and some of 
those living at a distance were leaving the courthouse as I en- 
tered. I took the stand at once and made my speech, just saving 
my appointment, which enabled me to meet the next one, and so 
on. Mrs. Lubbock was not sick again, and I did not fail in an 
appointment from May until the end of the canvass, in August. 
I had in truth and in fact a helpmeet ; God bless her ! 

It was in this canvass that I became quite intimate with the 
Hon. John H. Eeagan and learned to admire his ability and to 
appreciate his sterling worth and integrity. He was canvassing 



218 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



his district for Congress in company with his opponent, the Hon. 
Lemuel 1). Evans, the then member. I joined tliem and can- 
vassed man}' of the counties in their district. Tliis was a great 
advantage to me, for they were experienced in canvassing and 
were men of ability. I learned much of Federal politics from 
them, as well as State issues. It also gave me an opportunity of 
meeting many more people — for great interest was taken in their 
canvass. Judge Evans represented the Know-Nothing party, 
claiming to be a Democrat, and was fighting against the Demo- 
cratic ticket and supporting the Houston or independent ticket. 
Judge Reagan was running as a straight Democrat and support- 
ing the nominees of the Waco convention ; consequently I was of 
course opposing Judge Evans. He endeavored in all of his 
speeches to make it appear, and so charged, that Reagan and 
Runnels, the democratic candidate for Governor, and their party 
favored all extreme measures and were really in favor of opening 
up the African slave trade. He was so persistent in charging 
that we were in favor of disunion and the slave trade that it be- 
came quite an annoyance. It was known that Evans at the time 
favored a call for a Southern convention and was quite extreme 
in his views as to all Southern questions, and had written a letter 
in which he urged the calling of such a convention and solicited 
from the Legislature an appointment as a delegate. While we 
were at Marshall it was ascertained that Maj. J. M. Clough had 
such a letter, received by him while he was a member of the Leg- 
islature. A committee of gentlemen waited upon the major and 
explained the necessity of using that letter to show Judge Evans' 
former position and present inconsistency. The major said it 
was a personal letter, and he doubted the propriety of giving 'it 
publicity. Our friends contended that it was a great public con- 
cern; that he, Evans, was making war against our side and at- 
tempting to fasten upon us what he had himself urged, and we 
must break tlie force of his assertions or perhaps be misrepre- 
sented by him in Congress. The major yielded and placed the 
letter in the possession of Judge Reagan. 

A few days subsequently Judge Evans, at Jefferson, went 
through his usual tirade, charging Reagan and the Democratic 
party with the hatching of the Southern convention and being 
the satellites of Wigfall and others favoring the slave trade and 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 219 



cherishing a determination to dissolve the Union. Reagan, in 
replying, took the Clough letter from his pocket and read it. 
Evans sat absorbed, and for a long while did not notice that 
Reagan was reading his (Evans') production. When nearing the 
close, however, he seemed to realize that it was his convention 
letter, and upon Reagan's conclusion, when he asked the people, 
"Who do you suppose, fellow-citizens, wrote that letter?" and 
turning upon Evans said, "As Nathan said unto David, 'thou art 
the man,' "^^ Evans arose to his feet, pulled out his six-shooter, 
and denounced Clough for giving up a private letter and Reagan 
for using it. Reagan also had his six-shooter out and replied to 
Evans' remarks by saying : "Judge Evans, let's put up our six- 
shooters; I do not wish to kill you, and I do not intend to be 
killed. I want to go to Congress, and I am going there." You 
can imagine the excitement all this created in the audience, for 
it was large. Some one was struck on the outside of the crowd, 
and it seemed a general row would take place. I addressed the 
people, I supposed in a conservative manner, endeavoring to quell 
the tumult, and thought I was a genuine peacemaker ; at any rate 
the multitude dispersed and there was no bloodshed. 

Next morning the Know-Nothing paper came out, gave an ac- 
count of the speaking, and stated : "We had intended comment- 
ing upon the speech of F. R. Lubbock, the Democratic candidate 
for Lieutenant-Governor ; but he is a mountebank, and his con- 

2 5 This was Judge Reagan's version of this affair to the editor in 
1898: "While I was speaking on the stand at Jefferson a young man 
handed me a letter, saying that it was sent by Mrs. Clough for my 
use. I took and saw it was the letter from Evans to Clouge. After 
reading it carefully, I waited till Evans finished his usual tirade against 
the secessionists and nullifiers; and, rising with the letter in my hand, 
I told the audience that for the sake of argument, I would admit that 
Henderson, Wigfall and Mills were secessionists, nullifiers, firebrands, 
etc., and that I wished to read them a letter on the subject of the Nash- 
ville Convention where these men had acted so badly. From the read- 
ing of the letter to the people, it appeared plainly that the writer 
expressed a wish to go to the Nashville Convention himself as a dele- 
gate, whether by appointment or otherwise, and that, too, in company 
with sece.ssionists, disunionists, nullifiers, firebrands and agitators. 
"Now who was the writer of this letter?" said I; and turning to Evans 
I pointed to him saying, "As the prophet Nathan said to King David, 
'Thou art the man.' " Whereupon Evans drews his pistol, etc. 



220 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



duct was so outrageous that we will not give him further notice." 
This of course left me in a very unenviable light, conveying as it 
did the idea that I had acted while in Jefferson in some dis- 
reputable way ; while I thought my behavior was most excellent, 
and had really been somewhat instrumental in keeping down 
serious trouble. 

The editorial in question, however, proved entirely harmless, 
although productive of some amusement, for on our arrival at 
Gilmer, in Upshur County, they had read the charge to mean 
that I was a montehank, dealer, — in other words, a gambler, as 
this Mexican game of cards meant. This gave me an opportunity 
to set myself right -as a moral young man who never gambled at 
any game, and also to tell the story of my first and last game of 
poker for money, the day I landed in Texas. 

The canvass now continued with less acrimony, for Judge 
Evans had to eliminate from his set speech the Southern conven- 
tion and his charges against Reagan and his friends as extremists. 

A laughable affair occurred in Collin County. We had made 
speeches at McKinney and left there for Piano, also in that 
county; Judge Evans tarried on the way, but said he would be 
with us at Piano to supper. Judge Reagan and myself arrived 
in good time ; supper was served ; Judge Evans did not put in an 
appearance ; bedtime came, and still he was absent. We of course 
concluded he had stopped on the route with some friend. Next 
morning, while we were at breakfast, the judge appeared, a very 
fagged-looking man. His explanation was, that in crossing one 
of the deep dry creeks or ravines between McKinne^ and Piano, 
it being very dark, he followed the ravine instead of the road, 
became bewildered, and remained out all night. We joked him ; 
said it was a bad omen; that he would be going up Salt River 
very soon. And such was the case ; for he was beaten by Judge 
Reagan. 

After leaving these gentlemen I continued my canvass, re- 
gretting, however, to part with them, for we had a good, jolly 
time, and Mrs. Lubbock enjoyed traveling in pleasant company. 
Many incidents happened of an amusing character, and a few 
hairbreadth escapes from upsetting of vehicles and other mishaps 
caused by rough roads, crossing streams, and stopping at rough 
places. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 221 



I visited during my canvass about one hundred counties, con- 
tinued in the field until the day of the election in August, made 
a speech every day except Sunday, and never was sick a moment 
or missed an appointment. Judge Grimes, my opponent, did not 
canvass; he was on the Houston ticket. French Smith made a 
few speeches; he was independent of all, receiving but a few 
votes. 

This canvass gave to me my very extensive acquaintance in the 
State, so that I found my second canvass light and pleasant as 
in contrast with the first, and further to recompense me for my 
unremitting toil, I received the largest vote polled, gaining the 
hearty indorsement of the party. In the midst of my labors in 
East Texas, I received from the chairman of the State Demo- 
cratic committee the following letter, and, responding to his sug- 
gestions, I made an active campaign in the counties referred to. 

[Private.] "State Central Committee Eoom. 

"Austin^ Texas, 17th July, '57. 

"Franh R. Lubbock — Dear Sir: It is urgently demanded 
that you visit Hill and such other counties in that vicinity as 
you can at the first practicable moment. Matters are in a dis- 
tracted condition, and you alone can heal them. The demand 
for you is solicitously made, and I do hope that you will be able 
to comply with it. 

"Be assured that your course in the east has been regarded with 
feelings of approval and delight by thousands in the west, alid 
it is a proud achievement for you to say that. I have been ap- 
plied to by Democrats from various counties above to request 
you to come and address them. The word is always, 'Send 
Lubbock by all means.' 

"Do by all means leave Houston County and go up to Hill. 

"Yours truly, 

"John Marshall.'' 

The Waco ticket was elected by a large majority. 

For Governor, Eunnels received 32,558 votes, and Houston 
23,628 ; for Lieutenant-Governor, Lubbock received 33,399 votes, 
and Jesse Grimes 20,318. 

As to the canvass of 1857, Houston vs. Democracy, Eunnels 



222 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



afterwards said : ''The news of the action at Waco had scarce 
transpired when the name of a citizen prominent on tlie rolls of 
his country's fame was announced in opposition, and a canvass 
actually begun, the most remarkable perhaps in the annals of 
political warfare. The celerity of the movement, the electric 
rapidity with which its intelligence was communicated, and the 
alacrity with which it was indorsed by the entire opposition, fur- 
nishes the most indubitable proof of the preconcerted design to 
distract and if possible to destroy the identity of the Democratic 
party. Happily, the effort failed." 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 223 



CHAPTER THIRTEEN. 

The 7th Legislature — Election of United States Senators — The Inau- 
guration and Addresses of Runnels and Lubbock — The Message — 
Establishment of the University of Texas — Joint Resolutions — 
Frontier Protection — Debates and Debaters —Resolutions in Memo- 
riam — Stockdale and Bob Taylor Incident— State Convention of 
1858 — Democratic Mourners' Bench and Repentant Sinners. 

The Seventh Legislature convened at Austin, Novtmber 3, 
1857. 

The Senate was called to order at 10 a. m. on that day by H. 
R. Runnels, Lieutenant-Governor and ex officio president of the 
Senate. 

The following new senators, presenting their credentials, were 
admitted to their seats : James W. Throckmorton, A. G. Walker, 
Malcolm D. Graham, R. H. Green, T. N. Waul, M. M. Potter, 
Geo. B. Erath, E. B. Scarborough. Forbes Britton, Isaiah Pas- 
chal, C. C. Herbert, and A. C. Hyde. 

The hold-over senators Avere : James M. Burroughs, John Cald- 
well, Jesse Grimes, Elisha E. Lott, H. E. McCulloch, W. H. 
Martin, S. A. I\laverick, S. A. Pirkey, Jonathan Russell, M. D. 
K. Taylor, Robert H. Taylor, W. M. Taylor, C. C. Shephard, and 
L. T. Wigfall. 

Jas. F. Johnson was elected secretary ; R. T. Brownrigg, assist- 
ant secretary ; Thos. P. Sanford, assistant secretary ; Stephen 
Cumming, engrossing clerk ; J. Pat Henry, enrolling clerk ; Wm. 

A. Pitts, sergeant-at-arms ; L. M. Truitt, doorkeeper; A. M. 
Clare, assistant doorkeeper; Edward Fontaine, chaplain. 

Organization was perfected in the House by the election of the 
following officers : 

Gen. Wm. S. Taylor, speaker; H. H. Haynie, chief clerk; 
Thos. P. Ochiltree, assistant clerk; W. L. Chalmers, assistant 
clerk; Chas. Coney, engrossing clerk; Alf. Davis, enrolling clerk; 

B. F. Parks, sergeant-at-arms; R. R. Robertson, assistant ser- 
geant-at-arms ; Thos. Rogers, doorkeeper ; T. P. Plasters, assist- 
ant doorkeeper ; Robert Cotter, messenger ; Judge W. F. Weeks, 
reporter. 

One of the most notable incidents of the session was the elec- 



224 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



tion of two United States senators, an unusual occurence, caused 
by the death of Senator Rusk (before the end of his term) and 
the expiration of Houston's term. Eusk had killed himself the 
previous summer at Nacogdoches in a fit of despondency, caused, 
it was said, by domestic troubles. 

Houston was a candidate for re-election, but had been fighting 
the Democratic party for several years, and was therefore thought 
not to be a suitable man to represent a Democratic State like 
Texas. 

The Democratic caucus before going into this election num- 
bered twenty-two senators and seventy-three representatives. 
The condition of admittance was the indorsement of the Cin- 
cinnati platform of 1856. 

The election came off at a joint session of the Legislature in 
the hall of representatives on the 9th of November. J. Pinckney 
Henderson had a walkover as the successor of Rusk, his single 
opponent, G. W. Smyth, getting only three votes. 

The struggle over Houston's seat was very serious, A. J. 
Hamilton, B. C. Franklin, M. M. Potter, E. M. Pease, W. S. Old- 
ham, W. R. Scurry, Anson Jones, and John Hemphill being put 
forward by their friends as rival aspirants for the position. 

The race was mainly between Scurry and Hemphill. After 
the twenty-second ballot Wigfall withdrew Scurry's name, and 
Hemphill received the caucus nomination. He was subsequently 
elected without opposition. 

I was present as an onlooker when the elections occurred, and 
in noting the unanimous way in which Houston was shelved 
in this contest, a feeling of sadness came over me, from personal 
regard for the man. After this, it could not be said that any 
man's personality would count against principles with the 
Democracy in Texas. 

The inauguration of Governor Runnels and Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor Lubbock took place in the hall of the House of Representa- 
tives December 21, 1857. The hall was filled by 11a. m., and the 
Speaker, Gen. William S. Taylor, in his seat, with the president 
pro tem. of the Senate, M. D. K. Taylor, at his right hand, and 
senators occupying seats provided for them. The Governor and 
Lieiitonant-Governor were announced at the door. "The whole 
audience," says T. P. 0., Texas Republican correspondent, "with 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 225 



one accord arose on the entrance of the distinguished ex-Gov- 
ernor and the Governor-elect with their suites. First came ex- 
Governor Pease, with the Governor-elect, Hon. H. R. Runnels, 
on his right ; then the Lieutenant-Governor-elect, Hon. F. R. 
Lubbock, with Chief Justice Hemphill and Judges Wheeler and 
Roberts, followed by the inaugural committee. Ex-Governor 
Pease and Governor Runnels were seated on the left of the 
Speaker, while the Lieutenant-Governor and president pro tem. 
of the Senate sat on his right, and the Chief Justice and two asso- 
ciates on the platform in front of the speaker's chair. . . . 
The ladies were to be seen in every direction. . . . Governor 
Pease made truly an admirable valedictory address, . . . 
and paid a well-merited compliment to the Governor-elect. 
. . . He was listened to with marked attention, and loudly 
cheered in conclusion." 

The Telegraph had this to say of the addresses of Governor 
Runnels and myself : "Governor Runnels ascende^i the stand and 
made one of the finest addresses I have ever heard, the whole 
chaste, elegant, and refined. . . . On conclusion of the in- 
augural address there went up from that vast audience such a 
cheering as only a free people can appreciate. . . . 

"Lieutenant-Governor Lubbock then, in a short but eloquent 
speech, followed Governor Runnels — his voice loud, clear, and 
distinct, his every feature apparently expressing his words and 
thought. He also was loudly cheered, and well Frank deserves 
it, for if ever a public servant deserved office from his fellow 
citizens, if ever, by a strict adherence to principle and honesty, 
any man deserved the high position assigned him, it is Frank 
Lubbock." , 

On assuming the chair as presiding officer of the Senate, I said : 
"Senators : I enter upon my duties as presiding officer of the 
Senate with the consciousness of a want of experience in legisla- 
tive proceedings, yet determined to devote whatever of capacity I 
may possess to their faithful and impartial discharge. The want 
of parliamentary knowledge upon my part will be the more im- 
portant from the fact that this honorable body has invariably 
been presided over by gentlemen of large experience and 
acknowledged ability. I am pleased to know that a majority of 
those over whom I am called to preside have served long and well 
15 



226 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



in public life and understand fully parliamentary law and the 
rules of this body. To those I will look for aid and support in 
the proper discharge of my ojflficial duties. If honorable senators 
will give that assistance, which I have every reason to believe 
they will, I trust we shall be able to perform our labors faith- 
fully, pleasantly, and for the advancement of the public good." 

In his inaugural address, the Governor had to notice the over- 
shadowing question of the day, that of Northern supremacy and 
what it meant for Texas and the South generally. 

It was clear that the North would soon dominate the Union, 
and it seemed equally clear that, from Northern hostility to 
slavery, we could have no peace in the Union. 

As to the evil and the remedy. Governor Runnels, among other 
things, said : "Year by year the South is becoming weaker, the 
North growing stronger. That equilibrium has been destroyed 
which afforded the only sure and permanent guarantee of protec- 
tion against abelition innovation. . . . Should this proposi- 
tion be decided in the negative, I do not hesitate to believe that 
the determination of Texas will be taken to assume the guardian- 
ship of her own destinies and bid adieu to a connection no longer 
consistent with the rights, dignity, and honor of an equal and 
independent State. For, while disruption would be a great ca- 
lamity, it is not (as Mr, Jefferson says) the greatest that could 
befall us ; 'there remains one yet greater — submission to a gov- 
ernment of unlimited powers.' Under these apprehensions, pru- 
dence would dictate that our house should be set in order and due 
preparations made for the crisis. . . . No reasonable efforts 
should be spared to secure that military organization and train- 
ing indispensable to the liberties of every free State. . . . 
There is now left but one reasonable hope for preserving the 
Union and maintaining the rights of the States in it, and that is 
upon a rigid adherence to a strict construction of the Federal 
Constitution. ... A liberal course of policy should be pur- 
sued to insure the organization of volunteer companies, in press- 
ing forward to an early completion of the work of internal im- 
provement indispensable to the wants of commerce and agricul- 
ture, and again, in disseminating information among the masses 
through the medium of our system of education." 

In the course of his remarks Governor Runnels alluded to and 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 237 



severely censured the course then being pursued by Robert J. 
Walker, Governor of Kansas, who, by betrayal of official trust 
and usurpation of authority, was seeking to make Kansas, nolens 
volens, a free State ; that is, free for everybody but Southerners 
with their property. 

In former years Walker had served as United States senator 
from Mississippi, and, as such, was the first to offer a motion for 
the recognition of Texas independence. He was appointed Gov- 
ernor of Kansas by President Buchanan. In the civil war he 
turned completely around in his politics and was so vituperative 
against the South that a post bellum Texas Legislature decreed 
that a county which had been first called in his honor should 
thenceforward be considered as named for Capt. Samuel Walker. 

The inaugural ball given in honor of Governor Eunnels oc- 
curred on the night of December 31, 1857, and was thus de- 
scribed by one who attended : 

"The inauguration ball on the night of the 21st was a mag- 
nificent affair. It came off at the capitol, the spacious hall of 
the House of Representatives being used for the dancing saloon. 
The attendance was large. About two hundred ladies were pres- 
ent, dressed with great taste, and among them many that were 
beautiful. The room was brilliantly lighted with the elegant 
chandelier which adorns the house, the music was superb, and 
when the gay company was set in motion the effect was well cal- 
culated to drive dull care away." 

In his message the Governor called attention to the fact that, 
notwithstanding State aid to railroad construction, the building 
of the roads had not inade satisfactory progress, urged that all 
those chartered should be held to a strict accountability, and op- 
posed the further indiscriminate granting of charters. 

In accordance with executive recommendation, acts were 
passed by the Legislature to take the census of the State, to 
make a digest of the laws, to authorize a geological and agricul- 
tural survey of the State, and to establish the LTniversity of 
Texas. Senator Wigfall cleared up the difficulty as to whether 
the framers of the original law on education meant one or two 
universities, and showed conclusively they meant a university for 
each sex, if necessary, and not two universities if both sexes were 
educated together. This appeared in the able and eloquent re- 



238 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



port he made to the Senate as the committee chairman. The 
House report for one university was presented by P. W. Kittrell, 
its leading advocate there. George W. Chilton contended for two 
universities, while A. B. Norton did not want any, but preferred 
the common schools. The chief opposition was in the House. 
But the bill finally passed providing for one university and a 
board of ten administrators for its control. When its location 
was determined by law, the construction of buildings was to 
begin. Besides setting apart the fifty leagues of land granted to 
the university in the original educational act of 1839, the Legis- 
lature voted $100,000 for the establishment of the university, 
and set apart for it every tenth section of all the land granted to 
the railroads. But the next Legislature, needing money to re- 
deem the pledges made by Houston in the canvass of 1859 for 
better frontier protection, appropriated all the university endow- 
ment for that purpose, to be repaid when convenient, without 
interest. Nor was this all. The same Legislature the next year 
in special session appropriated, to pay their own per diem, the 
university cash in the treasury. 

In a series of joint resolutions the Legislature asked the 
United States government, through our senators and representa- 
tives in Congress, to give us a regiment of mounted men as an 
additional guard to the frontier, and to reimburse Texas for 
what she had spent in her own defense ; and authorized the Gov- 
ernor to call into the State service 100 men for six months, or 
as long as the safety of the frontier might require; and in the 
event of the failure of the Federal government to give us ade- 
quate protection, to call out any number of men necessary to pro- 
tect the settlers from Indian depredations. 

In another joint resolution Congress was asked to establish 
the "Overland Mail" route to California through Texas. Our 
senators and congressmen were also urged to press the impeach- 
ment of Federal Judge John C. Watrous, to ask for a military 
post on upper Red River to overaM^e the Indians in that quarter, 
and for the removal of the Indians west of the Pecos to the reser- 
vation prepared for them in the Indian Territory. 

In answer to the special message on affairs in Kansas, the Leg- 
islature, in recognition of the fact that the rights of slaveholders 
were not respected in that territory, authorized, by joint resolu- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 229 



tion, the Governor to order an election for seven delegates to 
represent Texas in a convention of the slaveholding States, 
should one be called to consider the question of the equality of 
such States in the Union. And, in anticipation of early trouble, 
it was also enacted that all uniformed military companies in the 
State should be placed in condition for active service. 

There were many interesting debates on various subjects, 
notably the State University, the Alamo monument, and the 
Mexican '^cart war;" but what interested me most was the de- 
bate on frontier protection, in which I took an humble part. 
This was the only occasion in which I left the chair for a tilt on 
the floor. And I had the good fortune to see enacted what ap- 
peared to be a good law for the protection of the frontier. The 
prominent speakers were Louis T. Wigfall, Henry E. McCulloch, 

C. B. Shepard, J. W. Throckmorton, M. D. K. Taylor, Malcolm 

D. Graham, R. H. Guinn, M. M. Potter, Geo. B. Erath, Sam A. 
Maverick, Robert H. Taylor, Jonathan Russell, and Isaiah Pas- 
chal. 

Among the notable debaters in the House were Geo. W. Chil- 
ton, A. B. Norton, and Messrs. Price, Crawford, Kittrell, Hart, 
Waelder, and Jennings. 

Cortina gave us some trouble on the Rio Grande, but the main 
difficulty was with the Indians on the Brazos reservation. Fre- 
quent outrages were reported, and excitement rose to a fever heat 
among the whites on that frontier. The Governor finally suc- 
ceeded in inducing the Federal authorities to remove the Indians 
out of the State, and pending their removal sent military com- 
panies under Capt. John Henry Brown to prevent further depre- 
dations. But it was too late; Runnels had lost. the confidence of 
the settlers. 

Resolutions of sorrow on the deaths of Gen. Jas. Hamilton ; 
H. G. Runnels, senator from Harris ; ex-President Anson Jones, 
and Rev. Daniel Baker (founder of Austin College at Hunts- 
ville), were adopted by this Legislature. 

General Hamilton was drowned at sea on his way to Texas. 
Ex-President Jones perished by his own hand, shooting himself 
at the Capitol Hotel in Houston, the act being the culmination 
of a long period of physical suffering and mental despondency. 

The resolutions on the death of General Hamilton were offered 



230 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



by Senator Wigfall and supported by a speech of wonderful elo- 
quence. He said in part : "His death is a calamity not only to 
the nation and his own State, but also to the State of Texas. He 
was the bold and powerful advocate of Texas in her dark and 
bloody struggle with Mexico. When the heroic spirits of '36 
were treated with opprobrium and as having forfeited all claims 
to the fraternal regard of the people of the United Sates, he then, 
in his place in the Senate of South Carolina, with thoughts that 
breathed and words that burned with living fire, repelled the im- 
putations on the purity and honor of our motives, and, in the 
light of such eloquence and truth, gave such elevation to our con- 
troversy as to challenge the admiration of the world, and to 
change indifference into friendship and enthusiasm." 

Mr. Kittrell, on offering resolutions of respect to the memory 
of Eev. Daniel Baker, said among other things : "His death, sir, 
was a beautiful commentary on his life. When his physician's 
skill failed and the solemn truth burst upon him that in a few 
minutes he must die, he calmly and peacefully folded his arms 
on his breast, and said, 'Lord Jesus, into Thy hands I commend 
my spirit.' Thus, sir, the spirit of this great and good man, on 
the very incense of hope, faith, and prayer, was borne to the 
bosom of his Heavenly Father. Sir, let gentlemen vaunt their 
cobweb system of infidelity, . . . but give me that pure 
system of Christianity which will enable me, when the last mo- 
ments come, to calmly and quietly consign my spirit to Him who 
gave it as did our friend." 

While Lieutenant-Governor many questions of great import- 
ance were before the Senate. I, however, having no vote unless 
in case of a tie, took but little part in their determination. Fur- 
thermore, I did not care to become partisan, as I might be called 
on at any time to give a casting vote, and the body was almost 
entirely Democratic. 

The all-absorbing question, the Kansas and Nebraska bill in 
the United States Congress, was quite an exciting issue at 
that time with us. I recall rather an amusing incident in the 
State Senate. A discussion was going on touching this question, 
and the debate became very warm, F. S. Stockdale, represent- 
ing the Southern view, and the irrepressible Bob Taylor, known 
as "Comanche Bob," from Fannin County, upholding the squat- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 231 



ter side. Taylor concluded he would perpetrate a joke on Sen- 
ator Stockdale. He offered an amendment. Stockdale was en- 
gaged and was paying no attention to Taylor's amendment. Tay- 
lor called for a vote. Stockdale got up hurriedly and objected 
most vociferously to the amendment, whereupon Taylor' asked 
that the amendment be read again; that the senator was not 
aware of what his amendment was; that he knew him to be a 
good Democrat, and he had just copied his amendment from the 
Democratic platform adopted at Cincinnati. Stockdale could 
only reply that it was safe to object to anything coming from the 
senator from Fannin. 

The question of frontier protection was always prominent. 
While this subject was before the committee of the whole, I ven- 
tured, as I had a right to do under the Constitution, to ventilate 
my views, supporting the proposition for an adequate appropria- 
tion regardless of what the United States government might do 
in the premises, and insisting that, it having failed to give ade- 
quate protection, it was the duty of the State to take the matter 
in charge for the proper defense of onr people and soil. 

I felt assured, and I was proud of the fact that when the Leg- 
islature adjourned they went home satisfied with my course and 
determined to support me for another term. 

In the meantime General Houston and his friends had not 
been idle. They had been all the while endeavoring to belittle 
the administration of Governor Runnels. They made war espe- 
cially on his frontier policy and his want of information in deal- 
ing with our Indian troubles. General Houston determined that 
no effort should be left untried to capture the government at the 
next election, and that he would be an independent Democratic 
candidate, thus gathering many old-time Democrats into his fold 
and every element opposed to the Democratic party. He builded 
well, as the sequel will show. 

The Democratic State convention at Austin, January 8, 1858, 
was called to order by John Marshall, chairman of the State 
central committee, in the hall of representatives. M. D. K. Tay- 
lor, of Cass, was chosen president, and C. B. Shepard, M. P. Nor- 
ton, W. S. Oldham, M. T. Johnson, and John Marshall, vice- 
presidents. 

The secretaries were : P. De Cordova, W. L. Chalmers, E. F. 



232 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Calhoun, H. H. Hajnie, Jolm T. Harcourt, of Fayette, J. H. 
Torbitt, of Johnson, and Levi Pennington, of Williamson. 

These were nominated : For Chief Justice, E. T. Wheeler, of 
Galveston, by acclamation; Associate Justices, Constantine W. 
Buckley, of Fort Bend, over P. W. Gray, T. J. Jennings, T. N. 
Waul, Geo. Moore, and J. W. Henderson; Attorney-General, 
Malcolm D. Graham, of Rusk, over James Willie, G. W. Chilton, 
S. H. Morgan, R. S. Gould, and — Turner ; Comptroller, C. R. 
Johns, of Travis, over Shaw and Johnson; Treasurer, C. H. 
Randolph, of Houston, over James H. Raymond and E. B. Scar- 
borough. 

All the nominees were elected except Judge Buckley. Judge 
James H. Bell, who then claimed to be a Democrat, came out as 
a candidate against Buckley and attacked his record with such 
success as to defeat him at the polls. A good illustration this 
that a Democratic nomination does not in every instance elect a 
man to office. Bell was said to have been the first child born in 
Austin's colony. 

In line with old-time Democratic principles the convention 
"Resolved, That we recognize the right of the people of all the 
territories, including Kansas and Nebraska, acting through the 
fairly expressed will of the majority of actual residents, and 
whenever the number of their inhabitants justifies it, to form a 
Constitution with or without domestic slavery, and to be ad- 
mitted into the Union upon terms of perfect equality with the 
other States." 

The State Democratic committee were: J. W. Dancy, A. M. 
Lewis, S. S. Smith, P. Murrah, 0. C. Hartley, S. H. Morgan, 
A. J. Hood, H. B. Nichols, A. C. Hyde, B. McCluskey, D. M. 
Prendergast, Somers Kinney, Wm. Smith, Nat Terry, R. T. 
Posey, C. Upson, Wm. H. Hardeman, J. W. Throckmorton, E. 
M. Pease, and D. C. Dickson. 

The Cincinnati National Democratic platform and State plat- 
form of Waco were reaffirmed as to the principles embodied in 
them, and especially the doctrine of non-intervention in the terri- 
tories. 

As this principle was now threatened in the North, this body 
recommended a convention of Southern States, to which dele- 
gates from Texas should go, appointed by the Governor on the 
authority of the Legislature. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 233 



Gen. T. J. Chambers offered a resolution to withdraw from the 
Union in ease of hostile congressional action on slavery in Kan- 
sas, but it was tabled. 

It was desirable to get back into the Democratic ranks the men 
who had wandered off among the Know-Nothings, and on mo- 
tion of our distinguished Mexican statesman, J. A. Navarro, who 
had not a little sly humor in his make-up, the convention re- 
solved, "that the doors of the great temple of Democracy be now 
thrown open, and that all repentant sinners be invited to come 
back, confessing their sins, and be readmitted into the fold of the 
faithful." This was at a special night session, and a great com- 
motion ensued when it was announced that the doors of the great 
Democratic church were now open to honest backsliders. 

Loud was the cry from all parts of the house and boisterous 
the shouts of the jubilants as the special friends of the mourners 
set out in search of them. In a few minutes the stamping and 
clapping became almost deafening, certainly indescribable, when 
the first mourner was led up to the stand by Senator Wigfall 
and Gen. Andrew J. Hamilton. In obedience to cries of "Down 
in front !" the crowd gave way sufficiently to enable us to see the 
meek and contrite spirit thus led up like a lamb to the slaughter. 
The light of the chandeliers could not sufficiently give the locus 
in quo of the soft and musical voice that in response to shouts 
for "McLeod ! McLeod !" addressed our "fellow Democrats.'"' As 
voices were heard to utter responsive sentiments, shouts and 
cheers went up, calls on members to be seated went round, and 
the wall echoed back the call for the mourner to get upon the 
clerk's desk — to climb higher, so that the ladies could see him. 
Always responsive to woman's call, like the gallant soldier and 
chivalrous gentleman that he was. General McLeod mounted 
higher and gracefully turned round to address the president, 
who had become suddenly transmogrified from Dr. Taylor to 
J. M. Clough, and as the convert recognized in the temporal 
head of the church an old friend and companion, amid the heart- 
iest applause, he unbuttoned his coat, and gracefully patting that 

"Little round belly 
That shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly," 



thus began his remarks : 



234 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



"Fellow Democrats : I do not like the way that resolution of 
yours reads. [Laughter, and a voice, 'That's right !'] No, 
gentlemen, I object to that as not being fair. That the doors 
should be thrown open is all right [laughter] ; but I object to 
that part that calls all of us who want to come in 'repentant sin- 
ners' [cheers], and requires us to confess our sins [a voice, 
'Good,' and loud laughter] before we can be admitted into the 
fold. [Loud stamping, and the general's eyes twinkled like little 
stars. He looked so chuck full of good humor that one M^ould 
have thought he was entirely at home, not one of the faithless in 
the house of the faithful.] Fellow Democrats, there are many 
honest-minded independent gentlemen who want to be with you, 
but will not bow the knee and come in under the resolution. 
[Loud cheering, and a voice, 'Oh, yes ; they will,' and 'They can't 
help it.'] As for myself, I don't take back anything that I have 
done, and I don't intend to. [Cheers.] I am not a repentant sin- 
ner; your principles are mine, and I never had any other. ['Hear, 
hear,' and clapping throughout the house.] The North is now 
arrayed against the South. The President of the United States 
needs help now, and every Southern gentleman should be in- 
vited in. Come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty. 
I have read a section of the Waco platform, and if that ineans 
Democracy, then I have always been a Democrat. [A voice, 'But 
a d — d long time finding it out, and I have not discovered it yet.'] 

"Gentlemen of the Democratic convention who will swear by 
the Waco platform, — every one who will be true to the South, — 
come in ; then your convention can rely upon a united Texas and 
a united South." 

In great good humor with himself and with the appearance of 
a heart at ease with all the world, the general descended the steps 
amidst a shower of applause. 

Mr. Wilcox then came forward. He announced in substance 
that the majority had decided against him, and that appeared 
his main reason for coming over. He had always been a Demo- 
crat (but mcli a Democrat). He, too, had never done anything 
wrong, and had done nothing to apologize for. As a justification 
of his conduct he plied the convention with his Know-Nothing 
arguments and with a defense of General Houston. 

Col. Robert H. Taylor, of Fannin, made the most sensible and 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS, 235 



consistent confession. He had not come back to the Democratic 
party, he said, for he had never till recently belonged to it. On 
the contrary, he had fought it from his youth up. He remained 
with the Whig party as long as it had an existence, and when it 
died he joined the Know-Nothings, not that he had any particu- 
lar love for "Sam," but he had thought it the best trick to beat 
the Democrats. (He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.) He 
had been a latitudinarian, but he was now assured that the safety 
of the South and the perpetuity of the Union required a strict 
construction of the Constitution and a rigid adherence to the 
doctrines embraced in the celebrated Virginia and Kentucky 
resolutions. [Cheers.] The Democratic party had adopted these 
resolutions as their platform, and so long as it maintained that 
attitude, he would stand by it. [Prolonged cheers.] There were 
but two parties in the country — the Democrats and Black Re- 
publicans. The Democratic party was the only organization that 
had any claims to nationality. If the Union was to be saved, it 
must be through that party. The American or Know-Nothing 
party was powerless for good. Its only tendency was to prevent 
union in the South. It was, therefore, a factious, disorganizing, 
and mischievous party, and he besought all those who loved their 
country to do as he had done, and to lay down their prejudices 
upon its sacred altar. 

Bob Taylor was loudly cheered for this confession; but his 
Democracy soon withered away. 

The above facts are given as reported in the public prints of 
the day. 



236 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



CHAPTER FOUETEEK 

The Ranch Again — My Preparations for Raising Asiatic Poultry — 
The Various Breeds Kept Separate — Some Pleasure, but No Profit 
to Me in the Business — Government Importation of Camels in 
1856-57 — A Private Cargo at Galveston — A Year's Experience with 
this Lot of Camels on My Ranch — Items of Camel Life — Mrs. 
Looscan's Recollections of the Camels. 

In the early fifties a craze swept over Texas and the Union 
general!}^ for Asiatic poultry. Having determined to introduce 
and raise some of the choice breeds of fowls from Asia, I made 
elaborate preparations for their care and propagation by having 
erected on my ranch a commodious chicken house 50x18 feet, 
three stories high, and conveniently subdivided for the different 
breeds. It was placed near the center of an acre lot, set out with 
fig and plum trees, and inclosed with a high fence of cypress 
pickets. Painted white and surmounted by a cupola, this build- 
ing presented a creditable appearance to passers by, and sug- 
gested anew to their minds that a live Yankee must be the owner 
of the premises. When the preparations were completed, I set 
out to New Orleans with a drove of beef cattle, intending, after 
disposing of them, to inquire into the foreign chicken market. 
My cattle sold, I found a French importer of Asiatic fowls and 
soon made a deal with him for a pair of Brahmas at $40 a pair, 
of Dominicks at $30, and a pair of Shanghais at $20. I got them 
on my ranch near Houston in due time and without injury, and 
they were then installed in their respective apartments in their 
big new house. The Brahmas being the heaviest, occupied the 
first story, the Dominicks the second, and the comparatively light 
Shanghais the third story. Each breed went out of its apart- 
ment in the house by a separate passway to a separate division 
of the yard. Thus the different stocks, never mingling, were 
kept pure. With all this care the chickens were very prolific, and 
our stock at one time run up to fifteen hundred. Grain in their 
house and plums and figs outside gave them the proper nourish- 
ment, and they had an excellent flavor when properly cooked, 
especially the younger ones. Our common chickens were all 
disposed of pretty soon after the arrival of the Asiatics, who in 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 237 



a year or two supplied oiir table abundantly with eggs and young 
fowls. Our success in chicken raising, for Mrs. Lubbock took a 
lively interest in the business, made me a sort of authority on the 
subject. Many came in person to see how we had succeeded in a 
business in which the majority had failed, and others made in- 
quiries by mail. 

The subjoined is an extract from a letter on the subject I wrote 
to my friend, Mr. Jacob De Cordova.^*' 

"Chickens of all descriptions do well in Texas, and so do all 
other kinds of poultry. Although the introduction of the Asiatic 
breeds of fowls in this country has been considered one of the 
humbugs of the day, I feel that it has been highly advantageous. 
My experience teaches me that the larger description of fowls is 
more easily raised than the common barnyard kind. It requires 
as good judgment in the selection of fowls as that of any other 
stock. I, however, prefer the Dominicks, Shanghais, and 
Brahma-Pootras, as they appear to be the most hardy, and pro- 
lific laA^ers and excellent mothers. Care should be taken in se- 
lecting fowls of good form, and by all means with short legs and 
broad backs. Many complain that the large fowls are always 
lame. This is attributable in a great measure to want of care in 

2 6 The editor calls attention to Jacob DeCordova's estimate of Lieu- 
tenant-Governor Lubbock in his "Texas:" 

"Frank Lubbock has made himself. He never attended school after 
the age of thirteen, and of course has not a finished education; but he 
has studied men and things in practical life, and has an almost intuitive 
perception of their merits. He observes closely and investigates 
patiently, and his opinions, once formed, are openly and freely avowed. 
His politics has always been Democratic. ... Of Frank Lubbock's 
qualities as a private individual — of his domestic attachments and so- 
cial relations, of his noble disposition, and generosity of character — it 
is needless for us to speak. All who know him appreciate him from the 
Red River to the Gulf. He is emphatically a Texan, an old Texan 
(though yet in the vigor of manhood), and has devoted himself from 
early youth to the interests of Texas, first as a feeble colony, striving 
to be free, then as a Republic among the nations, and since as a State 
of the Federal Union. There is no man more thoroughly identified 
with the whole of Texas, from its infancy to the present time, than 
Frank Lubbock. And we venture to assert that no man has ever been 
more unanimously called by the people of Texas to a high official posi- 
tion than Mr. Lubbock was at the last August election. To see the 
man is to respect him; and to know him well is to love him." 



238 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



providing them witli proper perches, which ought in no instance 
to be at a greater height than eighteen inches from the ground. 
By attention to this point, you will seldom find your fowls lame."' 

Of course, I regarded my chickens as the genuine Democratic 
stock, as I fancied that the roosters always crowed more lustily 
after the Democrats had carried an election. 

I went into the Asiatic chicken business for a speculation, and 
the reader may be curious to know the result. Well, it was this 
exactly : I never sold an ^^^^ or a chicken during the whole time 
I was engaged in the business, but we had a good time in living 
on them. Neighbors and friends from a distance would come 
to see us and get, free of cost, a setting of eggs, and o'thers would 
carry off a pair of chickens at the same price. I was in politics, 
had to be liberal, and suppose I got good pay in the long run. 
My motto now is, "If you are in politics, don't try to raise fine 
chickens for profit; if you are already in the business, keep out 
of politics." 

When my duties as Lieutenant-Governor did not call me to 
the capital, I stuck very closely to my ranch. 

At this period I had a strange experience in the stock business 
with a lot of camels intrusted to my care. 

Old Texans recollect that under the auspices of the Hon. 
Jefferson Davis, then Secretary of War under President Pierce, 
a cargo of thirty or thirty-five camels were landed at Indianola 
in the spring of 1856. After a short rest in that vicinity, they 
were driven up to San Antonio, and a few weeks later the herd 
of camels went into permanent quarters at Camp Verde, sixty 
miles southwest of that city. They were in charge of Major 
Wayne, who tested with satisfactory results their capacity as 
swift Imrdcn bearers. The next spring forty more, landed at 
Indianola, joined the herd at Camp Verde. 

In the fall of 1858 a couple of ships, presumably British, 
anchored at Galveston under suspicious circumstances. They 
were first thought to be slavers watching for an opportunity of 
secretly landing their human freight. But the ships turned out 
to be laden only with camels; at least no evidence appeared that 
they had any African negroes aboard to sell as slaves. Happen- 
ing to be in Galveston at the time, I went to see the camels 
(about forty in number), after they had been landed and penned. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



239 



Mrs. Watson, an English lady, owner of the herd, was hunt- 
ing some reliable person to whom she might intrust its care 
till finally disposed of by sale or otherwise. I was intro- 
duced as a proper person to the lady, and her agent, Senor 
Michado. A few preliminaries once settled as to the extent of 
my obligations for their safety, I contracted with Senor Michado 
on satisfactory terms to assume the custody and maintenance of 
the camels when delivered at my ranch. Accordingly a steam- 
boat was chartered, on which Michado brought the animals to 




My Arabs going to Houston. 



the mouth of Sims' Bayou for delivery. The landing took place 
in the presence of a crowd of spectators, among whom were Sam 
Allen, Jules Baron (my brother-in-law), and myself. On find- 
ing themselves once more on solid ground, they showed 
their high spirits by jumping, rearing, and frisking about like 
sheep. Observing these capers, Baron remarked that he did not 
believe that anyone could lasso a camel. Allen quickly affirmed 
the contrary, and finally bet Baron $10 that he could rope one 
himself. Allen mounted his horse, lasso in hand, and, with a 
sharp swing, on the first trial threw it over the head of a large 
<!amel and brought him to the ground after a short struggle. 
Baron, lately in from Louisiana, had not learned that Texans 
generally accomplish what they undertake. Michado, with his 



240 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS, 



outlandish servants, Turks or Arabs of unpronounceable names, 
conducted the camels to my ranch, a few miles distant. Here 
they were easily corraled in the pasture prepared for them. 

The camels once in my care, Michado returned to Galveston, 
leaving the herd with the foreigners, whom I will call "Arabs." 
The pasture had in it seventy-five acres or more, nearly all prairie 
with a small skirt of timber near the bayou, and inclosed by a 
new high staked and ridered fence. In addition to the grazing in 
the inclosure, there was given them every day large quanti- 
ties of cured hay, which they devoured at will. Every two or 
three days, when it was warm, they were taken out of the pasture 
to water at a selected place on the bayou, to avoid bogging. In 
winter the intervals of watering ran up to four or five days. This 
was managed with so much care that only one or two camels 
bogged at the watering place. These had to be drawn out of the 
bayou by a yoke of strong oxen; for after several ineffectual 
efforts to extricate themselves and getting down deeper in the 
mire, they sank down quietly, with only a few mournful plaints 
of distress, apparently resigned to their fate. And it was not 
without some nursing and attention that they fully recovered 
from their sad experience on being hauled out. While not being 
perhaps so much of a water animal as the horse, the camel can 
certainly swim, as was demonstrated by some of this herd in 
Buffalo Bayou. I remember of having lost but one from the 
effects of bogging. 

The word camel is here used as generic, without reference to 
its number of humps. The two-humped variety is said to have 
originated in Bactria, and is accordingly called the Bactrian 
camel : while the one-humped species, coming as it is said orig- 
inally from Arabia, is for that reason called Arabian. The drome- 
dary, as tlie original term implies, is simply a "racer." It is 
always of the one-humped or Arabian variety, as the Bactrian is 
too heavy and clumsy for a "courser of the desert." The Bactrian 
is the most powerful and the better adapted to heavy burden- 
bearing. They were extensively used for transportation pur- 
poses by the allied armies in the Crimean war. 

The habitat of the camel is commonly supposed to be tropical, 
but camel land extends as far north in Asia as the fifty-second 
degree of latitude. Their favorite range is in the north temper- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 241 



ate zone, as they suffer more from heat than cold, contrary 
to the usual opinion on the subject. We had only about six or 
seven Bactrians in our herd of Arabians. 

This herd did not seem to suffer from the cold in the winter 
of 1858-9, though they had no protection but a skirt of timber 
on the north. The ration for each camel was eight or ten pounds 
of hay each day in winter, when there was practically no grazing 
in their inclosure. While specially fond of small grain, such as 
wheat, barley, and oats, the camel when hungry will browse upon 
almost any kind of shrub with apparent relish. As to their 
powers of endurance and traveling ability I had no ocular demon- 
stration, but have been told, by those who knew, that they, on a 
pinch, can travel a week without food or water, carrying 300 or 
400 pounds each, averaging twenty-five or thirty miles a day, and 
that the dromedaries, or "the coursers of the desert," can travel 
fifty miles a day with a burden of 150 pounds. While the gen- 
eral disposition of the camel is docile and meek, the males at a 
particular season of the year are very pugnacious, and sometimes 
fight each other to the death. The camels in my charge appeared 
healthy and free from all disease, unless something on the skin 
like the itch might be so considered. During their year's stay at 
my ranch, besides the one lost in the bog, only two died, and that 
from causes unknown. 

The camels were naturally a great curiosity for Texans, and 
our neighbors, and people from a distance, flocked in to see the 
strange sight. The camels were quite obedient to their Arab 
keepers, kneeling and rising at word of command. In going to 
Houston, six miles distant, the Arabs would ride a camel each, 
and their entry and exit would always create a sensation among 
the people in town seeing them for the first time. 

This letter, from the widow of the late Maj. M. Looscan to 
my editor, explains itself: 

"Houston, January 29, 1899. 
"Judge C. W. Raines, Austin, Texas : 

"Dear Sir — I am in receipt of your letter of recent date, re- 
questing that I write out my recollections of the camels once pas- 
tured near Governor Lubbock's ranch on Sims' Bayou. 

"I think it was in the summer of 1859 that about forty camels 
16 



242 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



in charge of four or five Arabs were pastured on the south side 
of the stream mentioned, at the distance of about a mile from 
the residence. In company with Ella Hutchins (now Mrs. Sea- 
brook Sydnor, of this city), John Bringhurst and Charley Gen- 
try, all of Houston, I drove over from Harrisburg to see the 
camels. We were disappointed, however, in our wish to have a 
ride on one of them, as the only gentle one was missing from the 
herd. After a good deal of time spent, he was finally discovered 
mired up to his breast in the mud of the bayou. All efforts to ex- 
tricate him having proved fruitless, the ride was given up ; the 
next day a yoke of oxen succeeded in pulling him out, but the 
strain was so great the camel did not long survive. 

"Subsequently, when the camels were brought to Harrisburg, 
one of them was equipped with the peculiar pack-saddle com- 
monly used on these animals. It was covered with rugs or car- 
pets, and the shelf-like saddle on one side was occupied by a gen- 
tleman friend and myself, while the other side was balanced by 
another gentleman. We rode for about three-quarters of a mile, 
the camel being led by an Arab who trotted on ahead, continually 
encouraging the camel by ejaculations to which he seemed to 
respond. The long strides made a swinging, rough motion by no 
means easy, but rapid, and when the ride had come to an end, in 
obedience to command, the animal sank suddenjy upon his knees ; 
a headlong plunge for the riders would have resulted but for the 
rapidity with which the whole came to a level on the ground. 
... I am, respectfully, 

"Adele J3. Looscan." 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 243 



CHAPTEE FIFTEEN. 

State Convention at Houston in 1859 — The Platform — Its Expansion 
Plank— Tabling of African Slave-Trade Resolutions— The Nomi- 
nees — Congressional Conventions and Candidates — Runnels and 
Lubbock vs. Houston and Clark — Campaign Incidents — Election of 
United States Senator — Houston Governor — Financial Stress— Fron- 
tier Troubles — State Convention at Galveston — Resolutions — The 
Delegates to Charleston. 

The Democratic State convention of 1859 met in Houston on 
the 1st day of May, and was called to order by John Marshall, 
chairman of the State Central Committee. 

A. J. Hood, of Cherokee, was elected president over J. W. 
Dancy, of Fayette, by a vote of 196 to 135. L. M. Still, Ed. 
Waller, Isaac Parker, and A C. Hyde were elected vice-presi- 
dents, and P. DeCordova, E. E. Ewing, D. M. Short, and J. H. 
Torbett secretaries. 

G. W. Chilton, of Smith, moved that all proxies be admitted to 
seats in the convention. 

The motion was voted down. 

Several substitutes and amendments being offered, a lengthy 
discussion ensued, and resulted in the adoption of resokitions 
providing that all regularly appointed proxies be admitted as 
delegates (adopted, on call of counties, by a vote of 163 to 153) ; 
that no proxy should be considered as regularly appointed where 
there was a delegate from the same county in the convention 
(carried viva voce) ; fixing the basis of representation at one vote 
for every 100 Democratic votes cast in a county at the last pre- 
ceding election for' Attorney-General, Comptroller, and State 
Treasurer, taking the average vote for the above State officers 
as the standard; and providing for a committee on credentials 
to consist of one delegate from each county. Seventy-three coun- 
ties were represented. The total number of delegates and proxies 
amounted t(5 335. 

On motion of Mr. Chilton, of Smith, the chair appointed a 
committee on platform, consisting of one from each judicial dis- 
trict, as follows: First, C. C. Herbert; Second, Geo. W. White; 



244 LUBBOCK'S BIEMOIRS. 



Third, J. D. Giddings; Fourth, E. L. Graves; Fifth, D. M. 
Short; Sixth, John McClarty; Seventh, E. A. Pahner; Eighth, 
C. N. Stanley; Ninth, G. W. Chilton, chairman; Tenth, F. S. 
Stockdale; Eleventh, A. C. Hill; Twelfth, T. P. Aycock; Thir- 
teenth, ; Fourteenth, ; Fifteenth, E. T. Branch; 

Sixteenth, James H. Torbett; Seventeenth, J. L. Milam; 
Eighteenth, J. W. Speight. 

The platform, as submitted by this committee and adopted by 
the convention, indorsed the Cincinnati platform; expressed un- 
shaken faith in the principles enunciated in the Virginia and 
Kentucky resolutions of 1798-99; readopted the Waco platform; 
declared the Dred Scott decision to be a true exposition of the 
Constitution ; asserted that territorial legislatures had no right to 
exclude slavery from a territory ; and expressed opposition to the 
admission of States not having sufficient population for the elec- 
tion of one representative. The sixth plank illustrates Demo- 
cratic ideas on expansion at that period, and is given in full: 
"Sixth — That the Democracy of Texas are in favor of the acqui- 
sition of Cuba, and that we regard its consummation as a meas- 
ure which self-protection imperatively demands, should be pro- 
cured at the earliest possible time compatible with national 
honor." 

Speaking in support of this declaration, Hon. Matt Ward, one 
of our United States senators, said : "The acquisition of Cuba 
is a necessity. We must have it, and we will have it. Spain has 
not been insulted by the proposition to buy, and she is not going 
to be insulted." 

H. E. Eunnels was put in nomination for Governor by W. S. 
Day, of Austin. The first ballot gave Eunnels 294 votes and 
Gregg 73. Eunnels' nomination was then made unanimous. 

Judge C. W. Buckley having nominated F. E. Lubbock for 
Lieutenant-Governor, on motion the nomination was made by 
the convention by acclamation. 

Called on for a speech, I made a short address, thanking the 
convention for their indorsement, and promising, as I«had always 
been a Democrat, to continue working in the same good cause.^^ 



37 



' Lieutenant-Governor Lubbock being called for, took the stand 
and made one of his thrilling and effective speeches. He was gratified to 
be indorsed by the Democracy of the Empire State. He would serve his 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 245 



Chilton's resolution regarding the African slave trade and 
Palmer's substitute were both tabled after a full and fair discus- 
sion — the former by a vote of 228 to 81, and the latter by a 
unanimous vote. 

The Congressional convention for the Western district met at 
Houston on the adjournment of the State convention. 

Gen. T. N. Waul, of Gonzales, having led John A. Wharton, 
W. S. Oldham, and Abel Cunningham for several ballots, his 
nomination was made unanimous by acclamation. A. J. Hamil- 
ton was his opponent on the Independent ticket. Hamilton had 
been a prominent Democrat up to this time. He was a man of 
ability and a powerful debater, and his defection at this juncture 
proved a great gain to the Independents. Still the* Democracy 
had no fears for Waul, who had ever proved an able champion 
for the party. 

The convention for the Eastern district met at Henderson, 
May 2d, and a small bolt occurred on a preliminary question. 
This, however, had no material effect, as the main body of the 
convention stood firm and renominated Judge John H. Eeagan, 
whose course in Congress had been entirely acceptable to his dis- 
trict and State. 

In a circular address to his constituents, the judge denounced 
the heresies of filibusterism and the reopening of the African 
slave trade, and claimed to be a National Democrat, devoted to 
the Constitution and the Union, desiring no new tests of Demo- 
cratic faith. 

In reply to an open letter from Montgomery, dated August 
22, 1859, and signed by John M. Ward, Thomas Goree, and 
three others, Judge Reagan said, through the medium of a 
similar letter, published in the public prints : "It is proper for 
me to add that I make a distinction between old-fashioned 
Democracy and such Democracy as requires an adjective to de- 
scribe its kind. And hence I have no sympathy with the free- 
soil Democracy of the North or the Southern-rights Democracy 
of the South. They rest on different philosophies from it, and 

party with all his might. He was proud of being one of the standard 
bearers. He had always been a Democrat and should always be, and 
what power he had should be devoted to the good cause of Democracy. " 

— Telegraph. 



246 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



are as different from it as any other political creeds are different 
from each other (the one resting on national patriotism, and the 
others on sectional bigotry, malice, and demagogy), and I would 
not, under existing circumstances, act with either of these sec- 
tional parties or vote for any man belonging to them. . . . 
I am opposed to the reopening of the African slave trade, to fili- 
bustering, to disunion per se, and the formation of a Southern 
Confederacy, on one hand. I am, on the other, opposed to the 
idea of a slavish devotion to the Union under a violated Consti- 
tution." 

Judge Reagan was opposed by W. B. Ochiltree, an able lawyer 
and debater. A late convert from Whiggism and Know-!N'othing- 
ism to Democracy, he had now abjured the faith and gone back to 
his first love, whatever that was. But he was not an opponent to 
be despised, as the canvass soon developed his capacity. 

The Independents charged on the Democracy the design of 
reopening the African slave trade. The approximate unanimity 
with which the convention tabled a resolution barely squinting in 
that direction should have convinced all honest minds to the con- 
trary. Affecting, however, to believe the charge to be true, the 
opposition newspapers kept up the accusation, as it was a win- 
ning card, the popular disapproval of such an abomination being 
well known. 

A few weeks after the convention, Mr. Flake, editor of the Gal- 
veston Union, in a letter to me on that subject, propounded a 
series of questions, to which I replied, June 25th, as follows: 

"In answer to your first and second interrogatories, 'first. Are 
you in favor of or against the reopening of the African slave 
trade ?' and 'second. Do you believe the law which declares the 
African slave trade piracy, constitutional?' I beg leave to state 
that, in accepting the nomination of the Houston convention, I 
determined to confine myself to the platform of principles enun- 
ciated by said convention. I approve of the action of said con- 
vention in refusing to discuss or make the reopening of the 
African slave trade an issue, and shall not discuss the constitu- 
tionality or policy of said measure. 

"In answer to your third interrogatory, 'Do you believe that 
causes now exist which make a dissolution of the Union de- 
sirable ?' I say 'No.' In answer to your fourth interrogatory, 'Do 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 247 



you believe that our courts ought strictly to enforce the slave 
trade piracy law?' 1 say that every law, until repealed or declared 
unconstitutional, should be enforced by the courts of the coun- 
try." 

On the heels of my published letter to Flake came Governor 
Eunnels' expression on the subject to John Marshall, chairman 
of the State Executive Committee, as follows : 

"I cheerfully reply to your note of to-day (June 27th) that I 
fully indorse the sentiments of the Hon. F. R. JAibbock in his let- 
ter to F. Flake, Esq. 

"I am now, as I have ever been, for the Union under the Con- 
stitution and the strict maintenance of the supremacy of the 
laws ; and I do not consider that there is any cause for a dissolu- 
tion of the Union at this time." 

Even these disclaimers did not stop the racket, which kept in- 
creasing during the canvass. 

There had been a strong feeling for a new State ticket. Many 
of the best informed men on public sentiment declared that Run- 
nels could not beat Houston in the coming race. In fact, no man 
with a record could resist Houston's assaults ; and, unfortunately. 
Runnels' frontier record had, through slander and misrepre- 
sentations, already been condemned in the West. For this race 
a new man was needed who had the vim to attack Houston's 
shaky political record and put him on the defensive. The African 
slave trade accusation, though entirely false, we would have had 
to carry anyway in dealing with such unscrupulons political ad- 
versaries. Runnels, as before, did but little canvassing. He had 
many strong friends and supporters, but he was no match for 
Houston in the art of capturing the masses. Besides, Houston 
created great sympathy by his well-timed allusions to San Ja- 
cinto, and he had many able and popular friends canvassing for 
him. So the political campaign of 18.^9 o]iened with the chances 
evidently against the Democracy. I determined to make the best 
fight possible. 

Promptly appeared this card on time in all the anti-Demo- 
cratic newspapers : 

"Announce Sam Houston as a National Democrat, a consist- 
ent supporter of James Buchanan in his struggle with Black 



248 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Republicans and the little less dangerous Fanatics and Higher- 
Law men at the South, as candidate for Governor." 

This was a catchy card, well calculated to draw off the unwary 
and Democrats with short memories. "Old Sam" was now out- 
Heroding Herod in his devotion to Democracy. But the conver- 
sion of the great Know-lSTothing leader was too recent to avail 
him much on that line. 

In his letter of June 3d to Geo. W. Paschal, who had lately 
quit the Democratic party, Houston said : 

"The Constitution and the Union embrace the principles by 
which I will be governed if elected. They comprehend all the 
old Jackson National Democracy I ever professed or officially 
practiced." 

The design of reopening the African slave trade was persist- 
ently charged upon the Democracy by Houston during the whole 
canvass, and that without any evidence. This was the independ- 
ent's keynote, supplemented by a cry for better frontier protec- 
tion. 

Col. Edward Clark, of Marshall, was my opponent on the 
Houston ticket. We made an extensive canvass together, and I 
went over a great deal of country without him. I took in many 
counties on this canvass that I neglected in my first, particularly 
in the west and southwest. 

I commenced as low down as Montgomery, next went to Har- 
ris, visited nearly every county in East Texas, and traversed the 
country beween the Brazos and Trinity rivers, speaking at all 
the principal points as far north as Dallas, then going on to 
Weatherford, in Parker County. At that time this was on the 
frontier, subject to frequent Indian raids. 

Knowing that Governor Runnels was not popular on the fron- 
tier, I determined to give the border counties my particular at- 
tention. On arriving at Weatherford, I was informed that the 
prejudice was so great against him that no one would be allowed 
to speak in his advocacy. I, however, had many warm friends 
there, some of them prominent business men. At the appointed 
time I repaired to the courthouse, and without ceremony com- 
menced my speech, to a good audience, by stating that I had 
come there to advocate the personal claims of no man, but to 
speak for the Democratic ticket ; that I knew I would be heard ; 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 249 



that the people of the frontier were well aware that I had ever 
been their friend, and had advocated on all occasions their ade- 
quate protection. I was listened to in the most respectful and 
attentive manner and was assured of their support. 

Leaving Weatherford I went toward the Colorado. After trav- 
eling a distance of more than one hundred miles along the fron 
tier, making addresses at the intermediate points, 1 arrived at 
Burnet. After speaking there I desired to go to Llano, Gillespie, 
and other exposed counties. It will be borne in mind that my 
wife was also with me on this extensive and hard trip. I was 
cautioned and told that it was not safe to proceed; that the In- 
dians were making frequent raids into that country. Upon my 
persisting in going, three young men offered to go with us: 
Adam R. Johnson, now of Burnet ; Colonel Bradford, of Belton, 
and Neil Helm, who I believe is dead. They accompanied me, 
and while we encountered no Indians, there .were, they said, 
plenty of fresh signs — among others we discovered a beef with 
an arrow recently shot into him. I am pleased to know that the 
friendships formed with those three young men were true, and I 
have had from that day, even to the present time, no warmer 
friends than the two survivors. 

I had rather a queer but interesting time at Llano, then just 
being built up. On my reaching there, I went into the lone store 
house and inquired if they could direct me to the hotel, inform- 
ing them who I was and my object in visiting them. A gentle- 
man in the store observed that there was no place to stop ; that 
he had a very humble home, and would be pleased to accommo- 
date us. I of course thanked him, and we drove across the river 
and were given a small shedroom, built of three-foot boards, used 
as a storeroom. I had lived in just such a house when I located 
in Houston. We were made entirely comfortable and welcome, 
passing a pleasant night. Next morning quite a number of 
people came in to hear the speaking, for it had been well adver- 
tised, and I was to be met by a young lawyer, Mr. Posey, who 
practiced law in that district. He was a warm friend of General 
Houston, and supporting the opposition ticket. Before the 
speaking, and while in conversation with quite a number of per- 
sons, all of whom were strangers to me, a large fine-looking fel- 
low inquired if I was kin to the Lubbocks at Houston. Not 



250 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



knowing the object of the question I parried a little and let him 
go on. He stated that, on landing at Houston from Tennessee 
with his family, he got into a difficulty with a bully on the wharf 
about his effects, and, to use his expression, "we hitched." I 
knew the man well that he "hitched" with, had soldiered with 
him, and he was known as "Bully Smith." He went on to say 
that "the crowd was with the bully as long as he appeared to 
have the best of the fight. As soon, however, as I commenced 
putting in good licks they were for interfering. But a young 
fellow then appeared, demanded 'hands off,' and said: 'I have 
been looking on, and now this stranger shall have a fair fight, 
or I propose to take a hand.' I soon conquered the bully. About 
this time the police had arrived, and we were marched up to the 
station. The justice of the peace said it was too late to go into 
an investigation, and required bail for my appearance next morn- 
ing. The young fellow stepped up and stood my security that I 
would appear. Then, for the first time, I found that his name 
was Lubbock. When the case was called in the morning, Lub- 
bock was there, and his testimony cleared me, without expense, 
and I departed from the city of Houston. So, you know, I like 
the name." I then said to him : "That Lubbock is my brother, 
next to me." He then remarked: "My name is McCoy. I am 
the sheriff of Llano County, and you can bet I am for Lubbock." 

Posey opened the debate. I well recollect how he began. After 
paying a compliment to the people of the frontier, he told them : 
"I am to be followed by a man who, when he begins, you will 
see possesses an affidavit countenance, and I caution you not to 
believe everything he tells you, for he is a politician and a can- 
didate for office." It was the first time I ever heard of an affida- 
vit countenance, and I was pleased to understand that it meant 
the earnest, honest countenance of a man who believes he is tell- 
ing the truth. 

We had a pleasant and agreeable time, and I have never re- 
gretted visiting that beautiful country, then wild and wholly 
undeveloped, but now soon, I trust, to become a locality of great 
attraction and importance, caused by the great wealth of her 
iron ores, her granite and marble quarries, and her delightful 
and healthy location and climate. 

From Llano I visited my German friends of Fredericksburg, 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 251 



Gillespie County, and then New Braunfels. At these points I 
was a very welcome visitor. Many of the citizens knew of my 
active canvass against the Know-Nothings, and they appeared 
to appreciate the stand I had taken against that secret society. 
I then proceeded to San Antonio. "At this place we had a battle 
royal — Clark and myself and the opposing candidates for Con- 
gress, Gen. T. N. Waul and A. J. Hamilton — "Colossal Jack," 
as he was called, in compliment to his big brain. 

After leaving San Antonio we visited Segiiin. Here we had 
a big time; the people came from several counties to hear the 
speaking. I was particularly happy at this place. It was well 
known to all Texas that I had fought the Know-Nothings and 
that Clark had belonged to the order. Thus the Germans were 
in sympathy with me and they invariably showed it at our speak- 
ing. Clark realized it at this place, and I was guilty of treat- 
ing him inconsiderately. While speaking, he would look at his 
watch frequently, appearing anxious for his time to expire. 
While he was examining his watch I drew out mine and said: 
"Colonel, you have twenty minutes yet to speak; do not hurry. 
If that is not sufficient, you can go on; it will make no differ- 
ence to me." It created quite a laugh and disconcerted him, and 
he sat down in less than five minutes. It was mean of me, for 
Clark was a very polite and elegant opponent. From this place 
we went to Austin and thence down the Colorado. 

While I was on this canvass, the Palestine Advocate got off 
this yarn on me : "There is a good Joke told on Frank Lubbock, 
our worthy Lieutenant-Governor. He has lately purchased two 
fine but fancy horses of the calico stripe, and as he came up from 
Houston he was taken for a bill sticker for a circus, and all the 
little boys were asking him when the circus would be along, and 
whether his circus had any animals. He gave them the neces- 
sary information, and report says, promised them all free 
tickets." 

I did drive a pair of spanking spotted horses on this canvass, 
and who could blame the little fellows for taking me for the ad- 
vance agent of a circus ? 

An amusing circumstance occurred at Cameron, in Milam 
County, during our canvass. Colonel Clark invariably charged 
that I was an extremist, and he ventured at this place to go so far 



253 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



as to say that it was reported that I favored the reopening of 
the African slave trade, and that it had been whispered that 
I had at one time imported negroes. In replying, I said that I 
was surprised that my distinguished opponent would venture on 
such an assertion without being able to present some proof ; that 
I would assure the gentleman and the people that I was not in 
favor of reopening the African slave trade ; that it was a slander 
upon me; that, however, I would plead guilty to the charge of 
having imported negroes; that I did so through a Yankee, and 
obtained them from Boston, Massachusetts, and I would make 
a clean breast and tell them all about it now. 

"I have a ranch near Houston on the public road greatly trav- 
eled. ]\Iy negro force is small ; friends ride up ; I wish to be po- 
lite and hospitable, and frequently I have to call a servant from 
important work, and quite often one was not to be had. So I 
conceived the idea of having one negro that I could rely on, 
and disclosing my plan to a friend of mine, he begged that I 
would get one for him, and I ordered two cast-iron negroes, so 
that he and I would have a boy at the gate at all times, day and 
night, to receive our visitors and take care of their horses. 

"Fellow citizens, I assure you that these are the only two ne- 
groes I have imported,'"' and turning to the colonel, I said : "You 
have been badly sold by some one ; I don't think you will bother 
me any more with this charge." The effect of this could only 
be appreciated by those who witnessed it. The audience laughed 
and yelled and screamed, and Colonel Clark thenceforth dropped 
the African negro from his program. 

In this second canvass for Lieutenant-Governor, at Lockhart, 
in Caldwell County, Col. Wash Jones, then a candidate for the 
State Senate, was also booked for a speech on the same day. Col. 
Jack Wilcox, one of the best speakers in the State, was there to 
represent General Houston. We had a large gathering of the 
country people. Colonel Wilcox made one of his very forcible 
speeches in support of General Houston, and had to a great ex- 
tent the sympathies of the audience, particularly the ladies, who 
were out in large numbers. 

In speaking of Sam Houston's great services to the people he 
was very eloquent at times, and after saying many beautiful 
things, he concluded by telling the audience that, in after years. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS 253 



when the history of Texas is written and the school books pub- 
lished for the children, the name of Sam Houston will appear 
in every page of history and all through the school books for the 
edification and instruction of the children. "But, ladies and 
gentlemen," said he, "do you suppose that the name of little 
'Dickey' Runnels will ever appear on the pages of these books, 
or that little 'Dickey' will ever be heard of ?" Of course the sup- 
porters of Houston had a good laugh at this witicism at the ex- 
pense of little 'Dickey' and his friends. 

Col. Wash. Jones followed in one of his masterly efforts in sup- 
port of himself for the State Senate, and also advocating the en- 
tire Democratic ticket. On that day he well sustained his reputa- 
tion as one of the ablest debaters and best informed men in the 
State. He admitted that Sam Houston was a great man and a 
patriot, and deserved well of the people ; but he went on to say 
and prove that he had separated himself from the Democratic 
party, and consequently could not be supported by Democrats. 
He admitted that the name of Sam Houston would be conspicu- 
ous on the pages of history, and doubtless the school books would 
have his name emblazoned in large print for the benefit of school 
children, and they would be taught to love and revere his mem- 
ory. "But," Colonel Jones continued, "I wish to say to Colonel 
Wilcox and you ladies and gentlemen, that history and school 
books are presumed to be truthful, and when Colonel Wilcox says 
that little 'Dickey' Runnels' nam^e will not appear he is simply 
slandering the historical writers and the authors of the school 
books, for when they come to tell the truthful story they will 
have to write down that Hardin Richard Runnels was an able 
legislator, that he was Speaker of the House of Representatives 
and Lieutenant-Governor of the State of Texas, and that he was 
the same little 'Dickey' Runnels that beat the great and illus- 
trious Sam Houston for Governor of the State of Texas over nine 
thousand votes. 

"Now, ladies, and gentlemen, will not the school children rise 
in their seats and proclaim what a mighty man this little 'Dicke/ 
must have been to have beaten Sam Houston for Governor nine 
thousand votes." 

At the same speaking I had waited a long while for my time 
to come. Colonel Wilcox, who made a very impassioned speech. 



254 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



at times would quit the stand, walk down the aisle of the build- 
ing, counseling every one to support Houston, and would call 
upon the ladies as they do at a camp meeting. (He had been a 
preacher. ) 

On reaching the platform and before commencing my speech, 
I poured from the pitcher that Colonel Wilcox had been using 
what I supposed to be water, that I might moisten my lips. Upon 
taking a mouthful I at once discovered that it was the strong- 
est white whisky. I stepped quickly to the edge of the platform 
upon which I was standing, and spitting the stuff upon the floor, 
apologized to the audience by saying: "I can not swallow that 
kind of firewater, and I can now understand why my friend 
Colonel Wilcox has been so enthused, even, to making him de- 
scend from the platform during his speech to get nearer the 
audience Avith his eloquence." 

But in spite of all our efforts the Democratic ticket v/as beaten 
from top to bottom, Houston getting 36,337 votes for Governor, 
and Eunnels 27,900; Clark 31,458 for Lieutenant-Governor, 
and Lubbock 30,325. 

It was an ably planned campaign by the enemy and well car- 
ried out ; but from start to finish the Democracy was on the de- 
fensive about the frontier and the African slave trade. 

While I was beaten in this race it was certainly quite flatter- 
tering to me that the frontier country generally supported me 
and that I ran several thousand votes ahead of my ticket, and was 
only defeated by a few hundred votes by my opponent. I had 
a good time, enjoyed the canvass, made thousands of friends, 
and the men who supported me then have brought up sons and 
grandsons that have to this day been my friends and supporters. 
I had been steadily in the canvass from May until August, and 
after the excitement was over my wife and myself, pretty well 
tired out, sought rest at Kellums Springs, in Grimes County, 
near Navasota. 

The Eighth Legislature met at Austin on November 7, 1859. 

I presided in the organization of the Senate. There was a tie 
vote between two of my friends for secretary — Sinclair, of Aus- 
tin, and Tom Johnson, who lived elsewhere. I decided the con- 
test by voting for Tom Johnson, on the ground that all the offices, 
or an undue share of them, should not be given to residents of 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 255 



the capital city. As both were good men and good Democrats, I 
coiikl see no other way of deciding the matter. Tom highly en- 
joyed my decision, as it saved him by the skin of his teeth. 

In his message, Governor Eunnels regretted the unsatisfactory 
condition of the frontier, and explained what he had done to 
remedy the troubles at the Brazos agency, in which several re- 
serve Indians were killed on the night of the 27th of December, 
1858. 

"After Ijeing informed by Captain Eoss of further hostile 
demonstrations," said the Governor, "I issued an address warn- 
ing the people in the neighborhood against any rash act on their 
part. 

"As a means for restoring quiet and quelling the existing ex- 
citement, I appointed a board of peace commissioners, consisting 
of J. M. Steiner of Travis, Colonel John Henry Brown of Bell, 
Hon. George B. Erath, Capt. J. M. Smith, and Richard Coke, 
Esq., of McLennan, with instructions, bearing date of June 6, 
1859, to proceed to the scene of disturbance and to investigate 
its causes, with authority, if expedient, to place a guard of one 
hundred men around the reserve until such time as the Indians 
should be removed without the limits of the State. 

"Their report discloses facts which go far to prove that our 
citizens were not without just cause of complaint, as much as 
the violent measures of redress adopted by them may be re- 
gretted. 

"The State government is in no manner responsible for the un- 
fortunate and deplorable state of affairs on the frontier. The 
remedy has not been within the reach of its authorities. I found 
it a diflElculty, and perhaps the most serious with which I should 
have to contend, on coming into office. It has proved to be so, 
and if it has been impossible for most obvious reasons to give 
satisfction, it has been for no want of the most faithful en- 
deavor to meet the difficulty. ... I am content to leave 
the further solution and management of this question to the Leg- 
islature and the able gentleman who has been chosen to suc- 
ceed me." 

It only remains to add that Governor Runnels finally secured 
the removal of the reserve Indians to the Indian Territory by 
Maj. Geo. H. Thomas, then commanding at Belknap. But even 



256 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



that did not give entire satisfaction, and Major Neighbors, the 
Indian agent who had attended the Indians out of Texas, was 
foully murdered on his return home. 

ISTo one thinks of blaming Governor Runnels now for his 
failure to keep the peace on the frontier, no more than they think 
of blaming Governor Houston for his failure to meet the ex- 
pectations. Runnels was simply the victim of misrepresentation. 
As D. B. Culberson in his bout with Mabry in the House ex- 
pressed it, "You have impaled upon a halberd of slander the best 
Governor this State ever had." 

Thos. P. Ochiltree, correspondent of the Texas Republican, 
wrote from Austin, November 13 : 

"Gen. Sam Houston is in the city, stopping at Scott's Hotel. 
He was serenaded by a party of his friends yesterday evening. 
He responded in a short speech, after which Col. Ed. Clark and 
Hon. Eli Baxter addressed the meeting. 

"Gen. A. J. Hamilton, member of Congress-elect from this dis- 
trict, starts to the Federal capital on the 18th inst. General 
Hamilton is a man of marked ability, but his views on Federal 
politics are not suited to a representative of a Southern State. 
He indorses Douglas throughout in his magazine article. 

"The message of his excellency Governor Runnels meets with 
universal satisfaction among the Democracy. His views upon 
State policy (except as to the S. P. R. R.) meets with hearty ap- 
probation and support. 

"Dr. M. D. K. Taylor, the Speaker-elect, is one of the finest 
presiding officers I have seen, and universally popular. 

"I regret to say that Mr. Culberson (D. B.), from Upshur, in- 
tends introducing a bill to abrogate or repeal the charter of the 
Southern Pacific Railroad Company. 

"For the United States Senate, Colonels Wigfall, Ward, and 
Johnson are the most prominent candidates. The names of 
Hons. L. D. Evans, M. J. Hall, Geo. W. Smyth, D. M. Graham, 
and a few others are spoken of by their respective friends. Quien 
sabe?" 

A new United States Senator was to be elected to fill the un- 
expired term of J. P. Henderson, deceased, as Matt Ward had 
been appointed to act only till the meeting of this Legislature. 

The opposition, dreading the election of L. T. Wigfall, the 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 257 



only man who ever proved a match for Houston in debate, tried 
to break a quorum and thus stave off his election, but in vain, 
and then after balloting began interposed all manner of dilatory 
motions. 

At the appointed time for a joint session, on the 5th of Decem- 
ber, I appeared in the House at the head of the Senate and took 
my seat by invitation on the right of the Speaker, while the Sena- 
tors were seated in the places prepared for them. A quorum ap- 
peared on roll call, and nominations were made as follows : 

Louis T. Wigfall, of Harrison, by Senator Britten; Geo. W. 
Smyth, of Jasper, by Senator Grimes; Matt Ward, of Cass, by 
Senator Mabry : W. P. Hill, of Harrison, by Senator Martin ; A. 
H. Latimer, of Red River, by Senator Taylor (Bob), 

The balloting resulted as follows: 

First. Second. Third. 

Wigfall 59 

Smyth 25 

Ward 7 

Hill 6 

Latimer 15 

Graham 2 

Roberts 6 

Sparks 1 

Jarvis 

Morgan 

Mr. Wigfall having received a majority of all the the votes 
cast, was declared elected United States Senator from Texas to 
fill the vacancy occasioned .by the death of J. P. Henderson. 

The announcement of the result caused the wildest enthusiasm 
among the Democrats and corresponding rage among the ad- 
herents of Houston. The election of Wigfall, Houston's ablest 
rival, to this office, showed clearly the ruling power in Texas. 

Tiumediately after his election Senator Wigfall addressed the 
Legislature in substance as follows : He was a Southern rights 
man, a State's rights man, and a Democrat. The Democratic 
party stood by the Constitution. It fixed itself upon it in the 
discussion of every question. Slave property was entitled to pro- 
17 



59 


60 


23 


13 


5 


1 


6 


4 


20 


26 


1 


1 


5 


12 








1 








1 



258 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



tection in tlic territories, because all property under the Consti- 
tution of the Union was entitled to protection. And he would 
say that if it was ascertained that a people of a territory would 
not protect property, he would deprive them of the power of self- 
government. He endorsed the Democratic platform of Cincin- 
nati ; he stood on the platform as endorsed at Waco and at Hous- 
ton, and any man standing on that platform and co-operating 
in the organization of the Democratic party, he recognized as a 
Democrat — none other. No man could be a Democrat who did 
not hold to the doctrine of the strict construction and the doc- 
trines embodied in the Virginia and Kentucky resolutions. He 
did not believe in the divine right of kings ; nor did he believe in 
•"the divine right of a Union without a Constitution." 

Mr. Wigfall was undoubtedly the clearest expounder of the 
political doctrines of Mr. Calhoun in Texas. 

No man could have been more obnoxious than Wigfall to 
Houston personally or to his party. They finally tried to set 
aside his election on constitutional grounds, holding that the 
Legislature could not elect one of their body to the United States 
Senate. Tlie question raised was referred to a committee. The 
majority report, after a long constitutional argument in favor 
of a State senator's eligibility to the United States Senate, and 
citation of authorities, concludes thus : "The Constitution of the 
♦State did not intend to embrace the office of United States Sena- 
tor in the section under consideration. ... In this view of 
the subject, the majority of your committee is fully confirmed 
by the action of the distinguished statesman, Eusk, in the United 
States Senate upon the contested seat of Mr. Trumbull, of Illi- 
nois, wlio when elected to the United States Senate was a State 
senator. The Constitution of Illinois contained a similar pro- 
vision to the one under consideration, and yet the most distin- 
guished jurists in the American Senate held the provision in- 
applicable to the office of United States Senator." 

On that occasion, both Rusk and Houston voted for the ad- 
mission of Mr. Trumbull to the United States Senate, and he 
was seated. 

Besides all this, I should have stated that Wigfall resigned his 
seat in the State Senate before the balloting began for United 
States Senator. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 259 



The Runnels administration closed with the valedictories of 
the Governor and myself.-® 

On December 21, 1859, Sam Houston delivered his inau^ral 
address from the front portico of the capitol to an immense con- 
course of people. 

His utterances on our relations to the Union were what might 
have been expected, opposed to secession in any event. Toler- 
ance of difference of political opinion he thought a duty; but 
when thought becomes treason, the traitor is as much the enemy 
of one section as the other. Extremists North and South were 
rebuked alike by the Governor saying on that point : "Half the 
care — half the thought — which has been spent in meeting sec- 
tionalism by sectionalism, and bitterness by bitterness, and abo- 
litionism by disunion, would have made this people a happy, 
united and hopeful nation." 

Houston's frontier policy was to temper military force with 
moral suasion — to overawe the Indians by a display of soldiers 
and at the same time to gain their good will by presents. The 
Texas Indians had been drawing their annuities by way of Ar- 
kansas, and had thereby been led to believe that they were not 
obliged to keep the peace in Texas. The Indians should get 
their annuities in Texas ; they should be collected together in a 
great council and renew their treaties with the Texans. And it 
M'ould be advisable to distribute presents among them. 

This was Houston's Indian policy during the Republic, and it 
was bitterly disappointing to the frontiersmen, who expected, 
from the promises made in the canvass for governor, a vigorous 
Indian policy. But judging from Houston's antecedents, they 
had no right to expect any but a temporizing policy against the 
Indians. 

The Rio Grande frontier was also being raided, and the Fed- 
eral government was called upon for protection, and aid was 
promptly given by Major Heintzleman. But Col. Ford had al- 

**The Texas Republican, in editorially commenting on Governor 
Lubbock's valedictory utterances.'said: 

" Mr. Lubbock is concise, graceful, modest and dignified. He recom- 
mends efficient frontier protection, favors our present system of internal 
improvements, and looks for the happiest results by continuing our lib- 
eral railroad policy." — Ed. 



260 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



ready driven Cortina across the Eio Grande. Commissions were 
issued to raise companies for the northwestern frontier, where 
the great trouble had been, and then a frontier regiment was 
authorized. A new militia law was enacted to meet the emer- 
gencies. 

Indian hostilities, however, did not abate, but rather grew 
worse. Then Houston, like Runnels, had to stand his share of 
abuse. 

The resolutions of Dr. R. G. Worrall of Jaeksboro, adopted by 
the Democratic State convention at Galveston, in April, 1860, 
well express the public sentiment on frontier protection. They 
are given below : 

"Resolved, 1. That the Democratic party of Texas, looking 
to the actual Indian war on our frontier, to the ruthless murder 
of men, women, and children and the enormous destruction and 
robbing of property, stands pledged to sustain the most efficient 
and active warfare against the savage enemy ; that they approve 
of the appropriation of over four hundred thousand dollars by 
the late Legislature for frontier protection, and demand of the 
Governor of the State that it shall be expended in an active, 
efficient, and offensive war with the Indians, and not frittered 
away in temporizing expedients or in buying treaties by means 
of presents, annuities, or any other mode of consummating a 
treaty with treacherous savages." 

The other resolutions were in substance as follows : 

2. All Indians in Texas are hostile, and should be extermi- 
nated or expelled from the State. 

3. It is the duty of the Federal government to do this, but 
the State must do it if not done otherwise. 

4. The frontier must not be contracted. 

The Democratic State convention at Galveston met in the 
courthouse at 11 :30 a. m., April 2, 1860. Major Marshall, chair- 
man of the State Central Committee, called the house to order. 
Mr. Thomas P. Ochiltree acted as secretary. After prayer by 
Rev. D. McISTair, Major Marshall addressed the convention, tak- 
ing a brief view of the present extraordinary political condition 
of the country, and expressing his opinion that there never was 
a time when the preservation of the Union and the protection of 
the rights and liberties of the South depended so much on the 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 261 



Democratic party as at the present alarming crisis. His address 
was received with great applause. 

A committee on credentials was then appointed consisting of 
twenty members, one from each judicial district. At 4 p. m. 
the committee reported seventy-six counties represented by dele- 
gates on the floor. 

The committee appointed to report upon the charges made 
against W. W. Leland, delegate from Karnes County, reported 
that Mr. Leland admitted having voted for John C. Fremont, 
and having been a Black Republican about a year before coming 
to Texas, but that since having arrived in Texas he had become 
a Democrat. It was then moved by Mr. Schoolfield of Walker, 
that said W. W. Leland should be expelled from the conventioiL 
The motion was put and carried unanimously. Colonel Lewis 
of Washington then moved that the resolution should be recon- 
sidered, as he believed it due to the convention not to condemn 
a man without a hearing. Considerable discussion was had upon 
this motion. General Waul finally arose and referred to the 
action taken by the Democratic convention in Austin in 1856 on 
the application of Mr. L. Sherwood of Galveston for a seat in 
that convention, which application was rejected. A motion was 
then made that Mr. Sherwood should be heard in his own de- 
fense, and this motion was also rejected. Colonel Lewis then 
withdrew his motion for reconsideration. 

J. D. Stell, F. B. Sexton, and John W. Dancy were put in 
nomination for president of the convention. The vote taken by 
counties resulted thus: Stell, 38; Sexton, 9-i; Dancy, 91. Stell's 
name was then withdrawn. 

The vote was again taken, and it was found that Sexton had 
received 122 and Dancy 119. The chair then announced that 
Sexton was duly elected. 

Colonel Sexton was then conducted to the chair, and made 
a most appropriate and eloquent address. The following were 
elected vice-presidents : Messrs. Gaines, Bryan, Brownrigg, Pitts, 
Woodward, and Branch. 

Thos. P. Ochiltree was elected secretary of the convention by 
acclamation. Davis and Hepperla were elected assistant secre- 
taries. 

The committee on credentials then made a report that they 



262 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



had found two sets of credentials from two separate meetings in 
Jasper County. The one meeting was called as a Democratic 
meeting, and passed resolutions reaffirming the Cincinnati plat- 
form and the several Democratic platforms of this State, and also 
repudiating the doctrine of Squatter Sovereignty as advocated 
by Stephen A. Douglas. The other was called as a citizens' meet- 
ing, and it took no action recognizing or endorsing the prin- 
ciples of the Democratic party. The committee therefore recom- 
mended admitting to a seat in the convention the delegate sent 
by the first or Democratic meeting, and rejected the application 
of the delegate from the other meeting. The report was adopted. 

It was carried, on my motion, that the rules of the House of 
Eepresentatives of this State be adopted as the rules to govern 
the convention, as far as applicable. 

General Waul then offered a resolution that a committee on 
platform and resolutions should be formed by selecting one dele- 
gate from each judicial district, said committee to elect their 
own chairman. Adopted. 

On motion of Mr. Bee, that a sergeant-at-arms should be ap- 
pointed, the chairman appointed John S. Jones. 

The committee on platform were the following: First dis- 
trict, J. T. Harcourt, of Colorado; Second, J. H. Duggan, of 
Guadalupe; Third, A. S. Broadus, of Burleson; Fourth, C. Gan- 
ahl, of Kerr ; Fifth, W. A. Leonard, of Jasper ; Sixth, B. F, Wil- 
liams, of Upshur; Seventh, K. M. Powell, of Montgomery; 
Eighth, L. C. Delisle, of Fannin ; Ninth, F. F. Foscue, of Chero- 
kee; Tenth, F. S. Stockdale, of Calhoun; Eleventh, J. F. Crosby, 
of El Paso ; Twelfth, J. W. Durant, of Leon ; Thirteenth, W. W. 
Dunlap, of Goliad; Fourteenth, E. S. Pitts, of Tyler; Fifteenth, 
E. Word, of Tarrant; Sixteenth, M. V. B. Sparks, of Lampasas; 
Seventeenth, W. H. Parsons, of McLennan; Eighteenth, J. R. 
Worrall, of Jack. 

A resolution offered by Mr. Durant was adopted, namely, that 
eight delegates should be elected to the Charleston convention, 
four from the Eastern and four from the Western Congressional 
district, and that a like number of alternates should also be 
elected from each district. M. D. Graham was selected by accla- 
mation for elector for the State at large for the Eastern Con- 
gressional district. General Waul was selected on the first ballot 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 263 



as the elector for the State at large for the Western district over 
Col. A. M. Lewis. R. S. Rainey was selected as elector for the 
Eastern Congressional district, and Mr. Wharton was selected for 
the Western district. 

Eight delegates were elected to the Charleston convention, to 
wit : H. R. Runnels, R. B. Hubbard, F. F. Foscue, and Gen. E. 
Greer from the Eastern district, and Francis R. Lubbock, J. F. 
Crosby, Guy M. Bryan, and F. S. Stockdale were elected from 
the Western district. The eight alternates were chosen as fol- 
lows: For the Eastern district, General Chambers, Thos. P. 
Ochiltree, W. H. Tucker, and M. H. Covey ; and for the Western 
district, Fred Tate, W. H. Parsons, R. Ward, and R. M. Stell. 

George M. Flournoy was then nominated for Attorney-General, 
C. R. Johns for Comptroller, and. C. H. Randolph for Treasurer. 

Maj. John Marshall offered a resolution tendering the thanks 
of the convention to the several railroad companies who had so 
liberally given them a free passage over their roads. Adopted 
unanimously. 

Mr. Worrall, of Jack County, offered resolutions on frontier 
protection, which on motion were referred to a special committee 
composed of members from all parts of the State. Much dis- 
cussion was had upon these resolutions and several eloquent 
speeches were made. Among the distinguished speakers were 
Hon. Guy M. Bryan, Dr. Worrall, and Col. A. M. Lewis. Mr. 
Bryan's speech was specially able, and there were many highly 
interesting details and facts given to the convention in the speech 
of Dr. Worrall, who stated that he had been personally ac- 
quainted with all the late Indian forays and murders on the 
frontier, as the '^base line" mentioned by General Houston passed 
directly through the yard in front of his house. 

The platform adopted by the convention was as follows : 

"Resolved, 1. That the Democratic party of the State of Texas 
reaffirm and concur in the principles contained in the platform 
of the National Democratic convention held at Cincinnati in 
June, 1856, as a true expression of their political faith and opin- 
ion, and herewith reassert and set forth the principles therein 
contained as embracing the only doctrines which can preserve 
the integrity of the Union and the equal rights of the States, and 
most unequivocally deny the Squatter Sovereignty interpretation 



264 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



given to that platform, and that we will continue to adhere to 
and abide by the principles and doctrines of the Virginia and 
Kentucky resolutions of 1798-99, and Mr. Madison's report rela- 
tive thereto. 

"3. In order to give greater emphasis to these principles as ap- 
plicable to present issues and exigencies, we further and specif- 
ically declare that Texas as a sovereign and independent nation 
joined the confederacy of the United States, thereby entering 
into a compact with each and all the States, the terms and condi- 
tions of which are embraced in the Constitution of the United 
States, one of them being, in effect, that the State of Texas, be- 
ing a member of the confederacy, should exercise through the 
government of the United States certain powers which belong to 
her as a sovereignty, and which shall be exercised through her 
own government. That in becoming a member of the confed- 
eracy, Texas parted with no portion of her sovereignty, but 
merely changed the agent through whom she should exercise some 
of the powers appertaining to it. 

"That, should these powers be used at any time to her injury 
or wrong, or should the government fail to exercise the powers 
which are delegated in good faith for the maintenance of her 
rights and the rights of her people, or should the compact she 
has entered into with the other States, through the bad faith of 
any of them, fail to accomplish the objects for which it was 
formed, in any of these cases, of which she alone can judge for 
herself, the State of Texas possesses the full right as a sovereign 
State to annul the compact, to revoke the powers she has dele- 
gated to the government of the United States, to withdraw from 
the confederacy, and resume her former place among the powers 
of the earth as a sovereign and independent nation. 

"3. That it is the right of every citizen to take his property 
of every kind, including slaves, into the common territory be- 
longing equally to all the States of the confederacy, and to have 
it protected there under the Federal Constitution. Neither Con- 
gress, nor a territorial legislature, nor any human power, has 
any authority either directly or indirectly to impair those sacred 
rights ; and they having been affirmed by the Supreme Court of 
the United States in the Dred Scott case, we declare that it is 
the duty of the Federal government, the common agent of all the 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 265 



States, to establish such government and to enact such laws for 
the territories, and to change the same from time to time, as 
majr be necessary to insure the protection and preservation of 
those rights and to prevent every infringement of the same. The 
affirmation of this principle of the duty of Congress to simply 
protect the rights of property is in nowise in conflict with the 
heretofore established and still recognized principle of the Demo- 
cratic party, that Congress does not 'possess the power to legis- 
late slavery into the territories or exclude it therefrom. That 
while we declare our unabated attachment to the Constitution 
and the Union of these States, our own self-respect demands of 
us as a party to affirm that' this Union can only be held sacred so 
long as it secures domestic tranquillity and all the guarantees of 
the Constitution are preserved inviolate. 

"4. That we regard with great aversion the unnatural efforts 
of a sectional party at the North to carry on an irrepressible con- 
flict against the institution, and whenever that party shall suc- 
ceed in electing a President upon their platform, we deem it to 
be the duty of the people of the State of Texas to hold them- 
selves in readiness to co-operate with our sister States of the 
South in convention to take into consideration such measures as 
may be necessary for our protection or to secure out of the con- 
federacy that protection of their rights which they can no longer 
hope for in it. 

"5. That this government was founded for the benefit of the 
white race; that political power was placed exclusively in the 
hands of men of Caucasian origin ; that experience has taught 
these self-evident truths that the enforced equality of the African 
and European tends not to the elevation of the negro, but to the 
degradation of the white man ; and that the present relations of 
the blacks and whites in the South constitutes the only true, 
natural, and harmonious relationship in which the otherwise 
antagonistic races can live together and achieve their mutual 
happiness and destiny. That we view with undisguised aversion 
and with a determined resolution to resist the design openly pro- 
claimed by the leaders of sectionalism North to 'abolish these 
distinctions of races peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must.' 
We regard any effort by the Black Eepublican party to disturb 
the happily existing subordinate condition of the negro race in 



266 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



the South as violative of the organic act guaranteeing the su- 
premacy of the white race, and any political action which pro- 
poses to invest negroes with social and political equality with the 
white race as an infraction of those wise and wholesome distinc- 
tions of nature which as testified by all experience were estab- 
lished to insure the prosperity and happiness of each race." 

Dr. Worrall's resolutions on frontier protection were favor- 
ably reported and passed. 

As an endorsement of President Buchanan, the following was 
introduced and unanimously adopted: 

"Eesolved, That while we decline to endorse the course of the 
present Federal administration with reference to our frontier 
and some other questions of national policy, we deem it proper 
at the same time to declare that the policy of the administration 
in the main, and especially the sentiments expressed by Presi- 
dent Buchanan in his late annual message with reference to the 
■question which most vitally concerns the South, meets with our 
approval and endorsement." 

On motion of Mr. Harrison, it was "Eesolved, That in the 
death of Gen. M. B. Lamar, Texas has lost one of her beloved, 
distinguished, and patriotic sons and statesmen, ever generous, 
chivalrous, and true." This was adopted without opposition. 

Maj. John Marshall was re-elected chairman of the State Cen- 
tral Committee. 

The delegates to the Charleston convention were instructed to 
insist upon the adoption of the two-thirds rule, and a resolution 
passed providing for the appointment of electors for each judi- 
cial district. 

It was determined to hold the next State convention at Dallas 
on the second Monday in April, 1861. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 267 



CHAPTEE SIXTEEN. 

National Democratic Convention at Charleston — Disagreement as to 
Platform and Withdrawal of Southern Delegates — The Convention 
Fails to Make Nominations and Adjourns to Reassemble at Balti- 
more — Withdrawing Delegates Meet and Organize at Richmond — 
Douglas Faction Reassemble at Baltimore — Irregular Proceedings 
— Withdrawal of Northern Delegates — Douglas Nominated for Pres- 
ident — Adjournment — The Withdrawing Delegates Meet in Conven- 
tion at Baltimore on the Adjournment of the Douglas Convention 
and Adopt for a Platform the Majority Report Made at Charleston — 
Breckenridge Nominated for President by Delegates Representing a 
Majority of the States — Yancey's Speech — Adjournment. 

Immediately after the adjournment of the Galveston conven- 
tion, I returned home and made preparation for an extended 
eastern tour with Mrs. Lubbock. So in a short time we set out 
for Charleston, via New^ Orleans and Mobile, arriving in good 
time, without incident. During our stay in the city we were the 
guests of Colonel Stevens, the brother-in-law of Ham P. Bee. 

The other Texas delegates were promptly on hand at the ap- 
pointed time, and we all took our seats at the opening of the 
National Democratic convention. 

The convention assembled in Institute Hall, at noon, Monday, 
April 23, 1860, and was called to order by Judge Smalley, of 
Vermont, chairman of the National Democratic Committee. 

On motion of McCook, of Ohio, Francis B. Flournoy, of Ar- 
kansas, was elected temporary chairman. 

Dr. Hanckel opened the proceedings with prayer. 

Mr. Ritchie, of Virginia, was chosen secretary pro tern. 

Two committees (one on credentials and the other on perma- 
nent organization) were appointed, consisting of one member 
from each State, selected by the State delegations; and States 
that had sent two sets of delegates (like Illinois and New York) 
were not permitted representation thereon. 

The following were the committee on credentials : C. D. 
Jameson, Maine; A. P. Hughes, New Hampshire; Stephen 
Thomas, Vermont; Oliver Stevens, Massachusetts; Geo. H. 
Brown, Ehode Island; Jas. Gallagher, Connecticut; Delos De 
Wolfe, New York ; A. R. Speer, New Jersey ; H. M. North, Penn- 



268 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



sylvania; Wm. G. Whiteley, Delaware: W. S. Gittings, Mary- 
land; E. W. Hubbard, Virginia; R. R. Bridges, North Carolina; 
B. F. Perry, South Carolina; J. Hartridge, Georgia; W. M. 
Brooks, Alabama ; W. S. Barry, Mississippi ; F. H. Hatch, Louis- 
iana; Jas. B. Stedman, Ohio; G. T. Wood, Kentucky; W. H. 
Carroll, Tennessee; S. A. Hall, Indiana; W. J. Allen, Illinois; 
John M. Krum, Missouri; Van H. Manning, Arkansas; Benj. 
Follet, Michigan; C. E. Dyke, Florida; E. Greer, Texas; D. 0. 
Finch, Iowa; P. H. Smith, Wisconsin; John S. Dudley, Cali- 
fornia ; H. H. Sibley, Minnesota ; Lansing Stout, Oregon. 

The committee on permanent organization was composed as 
follows : Maine, W. H. Burrill ; Pennsylvania, J. Cessna ; Mis- 
sissippi, Chas. Clark; ISTew Hampshire, R. S.- Webster; Delaware, 
J. B. Pennington; Florida, T. J. Eppes ; Vermont, H. E. Slough- 
ton ; Maryland, John R. Emory ; Louisiana, Emile La Sere ; Mas- 
sachusetts, C. W. Chapin; Virginia, John Brannon; Texas, F. 
R. Lubbock; Rhode Island, John IST. Francis; North Carolina, 
W. A. Mole; Arkansas, John J. Stirman; Connecticut, A. C. 
Lippett; South Carolina, B. H. Wilson; Missouri, S. D. 
Churchill; New York, S. F. Fairehild; Georgia, J. H. Lumpkin; 
Tennessee, T. M. Jones ; New Jersey, Robt. Hamilton ; Alabama, 
A. B. Meek; Kentuck}^ C. Cecil; Ohio, Geo. W. Houk; Wiscon- 
sin, E. S. Bragg; Indiana, S. K. Wolfe; Iowa, E. H. Thayer; 
Illinois, A. M. Harrington; Minnesota, J. T. Rosser; Michigan, 
A. C. Baldwin; California, G. W. Patrick; Oregon, John K. 
Lamerick. 

The reports of the committees having been made and accepted, 
Hon. Caleb Gushing, of Massachusetts, was elected permanent 
chairman (or president) of the convention, and the following 
gentlemen vice-presidents and secretaries, each State repre- 
sented in the convention being honored in the selection : Maine : 
Vice-president, Thomas D. Robinson ; secretary, C. Record. New 
Hampshire: Vice-president, Dan Marcy; secretary, Geo. A. 
Bingham. Vermont: Vice-president, Jasper Rand; secretary, 
P. W. Hyde. Massachusetts: Vice-president, Isaac Davis; sec- 
retary, B. F. Watson. Rhode Island: Vice-president, Gideon 
Bradford ; secretary, Amasa Sprague. Connecticut: Vice-presi- 
dent, Samuel Arnold ; secretary, M. R. West. New Jersey : Vice- 
president, Wm. Wright; secretary, John C. Rafferty. New York: 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 269 



Vice-president, Erastus Corning; secretary, Edward Cooper. 
Pennsylvania : Vice-president, Thos. Cunningham ; secretary, 
Franklin Vansant. Delaware: Vice-president, W. H. Ross: sec- 
retary, John H. Buley. Maryland : Vice-president, W. T. Bowie ; 
secretary, E. L. F. Hardcastle. Virginia: Vice-president, 0. R. 
Fnnston; secretary, Robt. H. Glass. North Carolina: Vice- 
president, Bedford Brown; secretary, L. W. Humphrey. South 
Carolina: Vice-president, B. H. Brown; seeretar}', Franklin 
Gaillard. Georgia : Vice-president, Jas. Thomas ; secretary, J. 
J. Diniond. Alabama : Vice-president, R. G. Scott ; secretary, 
N. H. R. Dawson. Mississippi : Vice-president, Jas. Drane ; 
secretary, W. H. H. Tyson. Louisiana: Vice-president, R. Tay- 
lor ; secretary, Chas. Jones. Ohio : Vice-president, David Tod ; 
secretary, W. M. Stark. Kentucky: Vice-president, B. Spalding; 
secretary, Robt. McKee. Tennessee : Vice-president, J. C. C. 
Atkins ; secretary, John R. Howard. Indiana : Vice-president, 
Isaac C. Elston ; secretary, Lafayette Devlin. Illinois : Vice- 
president, Z. Casey ; secretary, R. E. Goodell. Arkansas : Vice- 
president, Francis A. Terry; secretary, F. W. Hoadley. Michi- 
gan : Vice-president, H. H. Riley ; secretary, John G. Park- 
hurst. Florida: Vice-president, B. F. Wardlaw; secretary, C. E. 
Dyke. Texas: Vice-president, H. R. Runnels; secretary, Thos. 
P. Ochiltree. Missouri: Vice-president, Abraham Hunter; sec- 
retary, J. T. Mense. Iowa : Vice-president, T. W. Claggett : sec- 
retary, J. W. Bosier. Wisconsin : Vice-president, Fred W. Horn ; 
secretary, A. F. Pratt. California : Vice-president, J. A. Dreibel- 
bis; secretary, John S. Dudley. Minnesota: Vice-president, W. 
W. Phelps ; secretary, G. T. Rosser. Oregon : Vice-president, 
A. P. Dennison ; secretary, R. P. Metcalf . 

The announcement of Cushing's name as president excited 
loud cheering. 

On recommendation of the committee on permanent organ- 
ization, the rules governing the Democratic conventions of 1852 
and 185G were adopted ; but an additional rule recommended by 
the committee met with considerable opposition. The rule pro- 
posed was as follows : "That in every State which has not pro- 
vided, or directed, by its State convention how its vote may be 
given, the convention will recognize the right of each delegate to 
cast his individual vote." 



270 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



In the general discussion that ensued as to the adoption of 
this additional rule, I stated that a proposition to report it to the 
convention had been voted down in the committee b}^ an immense 
majorit}-; that, according to my information, the committee, 
without due notice to its members, had met again, with reduced 
numbers, and undone the work of the majority, and that I did 
not think it fair to bring the question before the convention in 
such a manner. I held that the old rules of Democracy were 
sufficient for all emergencies, and that it was a matter for the 
several delegations themselves to settle whether or not they would 
vote as a unit. 

Mr. Cessna, chairman of the committee, claimed, in reply, that 
a large majority of the committee had acted on the matter; that 
he had sent out notices to get the attendance of every member of 
the committee; and, in conclusion, that the unit rule, left to the 
option of the several State delegations, would disfranchise him. 

Josiah Randall, of Pennsylvania, opposed the new rule, say- 
ing : "A few weeks ago I called upon Judge Smalley, and he told 
me that it was the common law of the last four Democratic con- 
ventions that each delegation had the right to determine how 
they would vote, whether as a unit or otherwise." 

Mr. Wright, of Pennsylvania (who had been a member of 
every national Democratic convention that had ever been held), 
in advocating the additional rule, said in part : "If, however, the 
convention of the part}^ in any State shall have determined that 
the vote of the State shall be cast as a unit, I have not a word 
to object ; but when a State convention has left to the individual 
delegates the full power of voting according to their own indi- 
vidual opinions, then it is the part of 'we, the people,' to say how 
we shall vote, uncontrolled by the majority of our particular 
delegations. ... In 1844 the vote of Pennsylvania stood 
twelve to thirteen on the adoption of tlie two-thirds rule, when, 
for the first time, it was made applicable to the nomination of 
candidates for the presidency. At a previous convention that 
rule was adopted in regard to the nomination of Richard M. 
Johnson for the vice-presidency." 

On the question being put, the rule was adopted. 

Hon. Caleb Cushing was escorted to his seat as president of 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 271 



the convention by General Clark, of Mississippi, and Colonel 
Eiehardson, of Illinois. 

On taking the chair. President Cushing said in part : 

"Gentlemen of the Convention : You have come together 
. . . to participate in the selection of the future rulers of the 
Kepublic. You do this as the representatives of the Democratic 
party — of that great party of the Union . . . whose proud 
mission it was, and is, to maintain the public liberties ; to recon- 
cile popular freedom with constituted order; to maintain the 
sacred, reserved rights of the States [applause] ; to stand, in a 
word, the perpetual sentinels upon the outposts of the Constitu- 
tion. 

"Opposed to us are those who labor to overthrow the Consti- 
tution, under the false and insidious pretense of supporting it; 
those who are aiming to produce in this country a permanent 
.sectional conspiracy — a traitorous sectional conspiracy — of one- 
half the States of the Union against the other half [applause] ; 
those who, impelled by a stupid and half insane spirit of faction 
and fanaticism, would hurry our land on to revolution and civil 
war." 

On the second day of the convention, in response to a roll call 
of the States, the following gentlemen were presented, by name, 
as the committee on resolutions : Amos M. Roberts, Maine ; W. 
Burns, New Hampshire ; E. M. Brown, Vermont ; Ben F. Butler, 
Massachusetts ; C. S. Bradley, Rhode Island ; A. G. Hazard, Con- 
necticut; Edwin Croswell, New York; Benj. Williamson, New 
Jersey; H. B. Wright, Pennsylvania; Jas. A. Bayard, Delaware; 
Bradley S. Johnson, Maryland; Jas. Barbour, Virginia; W. W. 
Avery, North Carolina; John S. Preston, South Carolina; Jun- 
ius Wingfield, Georgia; J. B. Owens, Florida ; John Erwin, Ala- 
bama ; R. A. Hunter, Louisiana ; E. Barksdale, Mississippi ; F. 
S. Stockdale, . Texas ; N. B. Burrow, Arkansas; , Mis- 
souri ; Samuel Mulligan, Tennessee ; R. K. Williams, Kentuclcy ; 
H. B. Payne, Ohio; P. C. Dunning, Indiana; 0. B. Fielding, 
Illinois ; G. V. N. Lathrop, Michigan ; A. S. Palmer, Wisconsin ; 
B. M. Samuel, Iowa; Jas. M. Cavanaugh, Minnesota; Austin E. 
Smith. California; Isaac I. Stevens, Oregon. 

At the third day's session Mr. Avery, of North Carolina, re- 
ported the platform agreed upon by a majority of the committee 



272 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



— delegates representing seventeen States, fifteen slave States, 
Oregon, and California, commonwealths possessing an aggregate 
of 127 electoral votes, all solidly Democratic. 

The minority report was presented by Mr. Payne, of Ohio, and 
signed by delegates from fifteen free States. These fifteen States 
represented 176 electoral votes, all more or less doubtful. 

After being debated several days, both reports were recom- 
mitted. 

On the sixth day Mr. Avery, acting for a majority of the 
committee, reported the following platform : 

"Resolved, That the platform adopted at Cincinnati be 
affirmed, with the following explanatory resolutions : 

"First. That the government of a territory, organized by an 
act of Congress, is provisional and temporary, and during its 
existence all citizens of the United States have an equal right to 
settle, with their property, in the territory, without their rights, 
either of person or property, being destroyed or impaired by con- 
gressional or territorial legislation. 

"Second. That it is the duty of the Federal government, in 
all its departments, to protect, when necessary, the rights of per- 
son and property in the territories and wherever else its constitu- 
tional authority extends. 

"Third. That when the settlers in a territory, having an ade- 
quate population, form a State Constitution, the right of sover- 
eignty commences, and, being consummated by admission into 
the Union, they stand on an equal footing with the people of 
other States ; and the State thus organized ought to be admitted 
into the Federal Union, whether its Constitution prohibits or 
recognizes the institution of slavery. 

"Fourth. That the Democratic party are in favor of the 
acquisition of the island of Cuba, on such terms as shall be hon- 
orable to ourselves and just to Spain, at the earliest practicable 
moment. 

"Fifth. That the enactments of State Legislatures to defeat 
the faithful execution of the fugitive slave law are hostile in 
character, subversive of the Constitution, and revolutionary in 
their effect. 

"Sixth. That the Democracy of the United States recognize 
it as the imperative duty of this government to protect the 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 273 



naturalized citizen in all his rights, whether at home or in for- 
eign lands, to the same extent as its native-born citizens. 

"Whereas, One of the greatest necessities of the age, in a 
political, commercial, postal, and military point of view, is a 
speedy communication between the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts; 
therefore, 

"Be it resolved. That the Democratic party do hereby pledge 
themselves to use every means in their power to secure the 
passage of some bill, to the extent of the constitutional authority 
of Congress, for the construction of a Pacific railroad from the 
Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean, at the earliest practicable 
moment." 

The minority report (submitted by Mr. Samuels, of Iowa) 
difl'ered from the majority report only in the second resolution. 
The second resolution, as offered by the minority, was as fol- 
lows: 

"Inasmuch as differences of opinion exist in the Democratic 
party as to the nature and extent of the powers of a territorial 
legislature, and as to the powers and duties of Congress, under 
the Constitution of the United States, over the institution of 
slavery within the territories ; 

"Second. Resolved, That the Democratic party will abide by 
the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States on the 
questions of constitutional law." 

This was the vital point on which the whole controversy turned 
— whether the party should clearly enunciate its belief in rela- 
tion to this important matter and pledge itself to give practical 
effect to that belief if intrusted with power, or agree to hold its 
judgment in suspense until the Supreme Court had spoken, and 
then accept, as a final settlement, whatever decision that tribunal 
might announce. 

This was an attempt to dodge the question at issue, which we 
determined not to permit. 

B. F. Butler, of Massachusetts, offered the following as a sub- 
stitute for both reports : 

"Resolved, That we, the Democracy of the Union, in conven- 
tion assembled, hereby declare our affirmance of the Democratic 
resolutions unanimously adopted and declared as a platform of 
principles at Cincinnati in the year 1856, without addition or 
18 



274 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



alteration, believing that Democratic principles are unchange- 
able in their nature when applied to the same subject matter; 
and we recommend, as the only further resolution, the follow- 
ing: 

*'Eesolved, That it is the dut}^ of the United States to extend 
its protection alike over all its citizens, whether native or nat- 
uralized.'"' 

Butler's substitute was, if possible, a more pronounced effort 
to dodge the issue than that suggested by the minority report. 

The vote, taken by States, on his substitute resulted in its de- 
feat — 198 nays to 105 yeas. 

Principles, it is true, never change. We did not propose such 
a change. What we insisted upon was a clear-cut announcement 
of principles; an unmistakable party interpretation of the Cin- 
cinnati platform, in order that issue might be squarely joined 
before the people, in what we anticipated would be a great and 
decisive political battle. Butler and Douglas, however much 
they differed on other things, had conspired to defeat our pur- 
pose. Their desire was, apparently, for the anti-slavery men to 
win by indirection what they could not accomplish openly. 

A vote was then taken on the minority report (offered as a 
substitute for the majority report), and resulted in its adoption 
by the convention — 165 5^eas, 138 nays. 

The votes of the fifteen slave States, with the exception of 
three and one-half of Maryland's eight votes, one of Virginia's 
'eleven votes, four of Missouri's nine votes, one of Tennessee's 
eleven votes, and two and one-half of Kentucky's twelve votes, 
were cast in the negative. All the votes of the seventeen free 
States were in the affirmative, save those of California and Ore- 
gon (four and three respectively), six of Massachusetts' thirteen 
votes, two of New Jersey's seven votes, and fifteen of Pennsyl- 
vania's twenty-seven votes. 

The sectional character of the vote augured ill for the integrity 
of the Democratic party and the preservation of the Union. In- 
deed, this deliberate rejection of the majority report, which alone 
gave slaveholders equal rights in the territories, proved to be the 
entering wedge for separation. 

On motion of Mr. Butler, the convention next proceeded to 
vote, by States, upon each section of the minority report, not- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 275 



withstanding the fact that the report had ah'eady been adopted 
as a whole. 

On the section reaffirming the Cincinnati platform the vote 
stood 237^ yeas to 65 nays. The Texas delegation voted in the 
negative, as we considered the Cincinnati platform, without an 
explanation, a swindle. That platform, with the construction 
placed on it by Mr. Douglas, was all that was, at this stage in 
the process of platform building, left to the South. 

On the question to lay on the table the remaining sections of 
the report, there were 81 yeas to 188 nays, the Carolinas, Ar- 
kansas, Missouri, and all the Gulf States declining to participate 
in the ballot. 

A vote was then taken on the second resolution and its pre- 
amble, resulting in its being rejected, when thus separately put — 
238 nays to 21 j^eas. The Gulf States and Arkansas declined to 
vote. The delegates from Texas took no further part in the bal- 
loting after the adoption of that portion of the minority report 
containing a bold affirmance of the Cincinnati platform. The 
maiorit3% however, proceeded to the extremity of the issue, and 
adopted seriatim, the remaining sections of the report, the one 
favoring the acquisition of the island of Cuba meeting with no 
opposition. 

When a vote was called for upon the acquisition of the island 
of Cuba, Mr. Bryan, chairman of our delegation, stated that 
Texas was in favor of a Pacific railroad and the acquisition of 
Cuba, but she declined voting. 

In reply to Stuart, of Michigan, who had stated that Alabama 
had now a new demand in addition to former grievances, Mr. 
Yancey said : "I have never, at any time, here or elsewhere, 
yielded the position that the Cincinnati platform did not give to 
the South the doctrine that Congress should intervene to repeal, 
or modify, unconstitutional laws. I have not here, or anywhere 
else, desired to be understood as saying that Alabama desired a 
new plank. The Cincinnati platform, as construed by Mr. Doug- 
las and his friends, is hostile to our construction of it. He and 
his friends are here to-day in a majority and have that platform, 
after having told the South that they never would yield the doc- 
trine of squatter sovereignty. That, therefore, gives to the Cin- 
cinnati platform, when adopted by this body, the construction of 



276 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



that majority: and it is, that the South is not entitled to pro- 
tection by Congress in the Territories, but that the legislatures 
there can drive Southern men out of the Territories. Simply 
to meet that construction and to explain what our views are, 
Alabama desires an explanatory resolution to the effect that Con- 
gress should not intervene to establish slavery by organic law, 
nor to exclude it by organic law, but that Congress has the 
power, coupled with the duty, to interfere to protect the consti- 
tutional rights of the slaveholder, whenever and wherever as- 
sailed." [Great cheering.] 

Mr. L. P. Walker, chairman of the Alabama delegation, next 
got the floor and read the resolutions of the Alabama State 
Democratic convention instructing her delegates to withdraw 
from the National Democratic convention if the convention 
failed, in its platform, to recognize the rights of the South in 
the Territories ; after which the Alabama delegation retired from 
the hall. Whereupon, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Carolina, 
and Florida also withdrew, after filing their protests through 
their respective chairmen. 

Our chairman, Guy M. Bryan, who was greeted with loud 
cheers, said: 

"Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Convention: Texas, 
through her delegates on this floor, in the land of Calhoun, where 
'truth, justice, and the Constitution' was proclaimed to the 
South, says : 'This day, you stand erect !' [Loud cheers.] Whilst 
we deprecate the necessity which calls for our parting with the 
delegates of the other States of this confederacy, yet it is an 
event that we, personally, have long looked to. Educated in a 
Northern college, I there first learned that there was a 'North 
and a South ;' there were two literary societies, one Northern and 
the other Southern. In the churches, the Methodist Church, 
the Baptist Church, the Presbyterian Church, are North and 
South. Gentlemen of the North and the Northwest : God grant 
that there may be but one Democratic party ! It depends upon 
your actions, when you leave here, whether it shall be so. Give 
not aid and comfort to the Black Republican hosts; but say to 
the South, 'You are our equals in this confederacy, and your 
lives, your persons, and property, equally with those of the 
Northern States, are protected by the Constitution of the Fed- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 277 



eral Union.' What is it we, the Southern Democrats, are ask- 
ing you to acknowledge? Analyze it and see the meaning, and 
it is this, that we will not ask quite as much of you as the Black 
Kepublicans; and, if you only grant what we ask, we can fight 
them. We blame you not, if you really hold these opinions ; but, 
declare them openly, and let us separate as did Abraham and 
Lot. 

"I have been requested to read this protest on the part of the 
delegates from Texas, and to ask the courtesy of the convention 
that it be spread upon the minutes of its proceedings." 

The following is the protest to which Mr. Bryan alluded : 

"Hon. Caleb Gushing, President of the Democratic National 
Convention : The undersigned delegates from the State of Texas 
would respectfully protest against the late action of this conven- 
tion in refusing to adopt the report of the majority of the com- 
mittee on resolutions, which operates as the virtual adoption of 
principles affirming doctrines in opposition to the decision of 
the Supreme Court in the Dred Scott case, and in conflict with 
the Federal Constitution, and especially opposed to the platform 
of the Democratic party in Texas. 

"Eecognizing these declarations of principles as instructions 
to us for our government in the National convention, and be- 
lieving that a repudiation of them by all of the Northern States, 
except the noble States of Oregon and California, the whole vote 
of which is more than doubtful in the ensuing presidential elec- 
tion, demand from us our unqualified condemnation. 

"The undersigned do not deem this the place, or time, to dis- 
cuss the practical illustration that has been given of the 'irre- 
pressible conflict' between the Northern and Southern States, 
that has prevailed in the convention for the last week. 

"It is sufficient to say that, if the principles of the Northern 
Democracy are properly represented by the opinion and action 
of the majority of the delegates from that section on this floor, 
we do not hesitate to declare that their principles are not only 
not ours, but, if adhered to and enforced by them, will destroy 
this Union. 

"In consideration of the foregoing facts, we can not remain 
in this convention. 



278 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



"We consequently respectfully withdraw, leaving no one 
authorized to cast the vote of the State of Texas. 
"Guy M. Bryan, chairman; F. R. Lubbock, F. S. Stoekdale, E. 
Greer, H. E. Runnels, Wm. H. Parsons, R. Ward, J. F. 
Crosby, M. W. Cavey, T. P. Ochiltree." 

The substauce of the protests of all the seceding Southern 
States was resistance to Douglas' "squatter sovereignty" and dis- 
approval of the Janus-faced proposed platform, dodging the 
vital issue, viz., protection of slavery in the Territories until ad- 
mitted as States into the Union. 

Arkansas followed Texas, her delegates submitting a protest 
and retiring from the hall. 

The Georgia delegation, after in their turn submitting a 
solemn protest, withdrew from the convention the following day. 
May 1st. 

Mr. Flournoy, of Arkansas, made a speech deprecating the in- 
considerate action of the cotton States. 

Short speeches were now made in a conciliatory way, depre- 
cating the situation and hoping for harmony, by Messrs. Seward, 
of Georgia ; Holden, of North Carolina ; Richardson, of Illinois ; 
Perry, of South Carolina; Howard, of Tennessee; Krum, of 
Missouri, and Bidwell, of California. 

On motion of Mr. McCook, of Ohio, the convention, at 2 p. m.. 
May 1st, entered upon the selection of candidates for the presi- 
dency and vice-presidency, balloting by States. 

Mr. King nominated Stephen A. Douglas [applause] ; Cald- 
well, of Kentucky, nominated James Guthrie ; Bidwell, of Cali- 
fornia, nominated Daniel S. Dickinson ; Russell, of Virginia, 
nominated R. M. T. Hunter; Ewing, of Tennessee, nominated 
Andrew Johnson; and Stevens, of Oregon, nominated Gen. 
Joseph Lane. 

The first ballot gave Douglas 145^, Hunter 43, Dickinson 35|, 
Johnson 12, Dickinson 7, Lane 6, Toucey 2^, Davis 1^, Pearce 1. 

The last three had not been formally put in nomination. 

It was Butler that gave Jefferson Davis 1^ votes out of Massa- 
chusetts' 13. 

There were fifty-seven ballots taken that day and the next, 
without any material variation. The whole number of electoral 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 279 



votes being 303, 202 were necessary to a choice under the two- 
thirds rule. 

Mr. Douglas never received on any ballot more than \h2\ 
votes. 

As it was evident that no nomination could be made under 
existing circumstances, the convention adjourned May 3d, to 
meet again in Baltimore on June 18th.^^ 

President Gushing, on the eve of adjournment, delivered a 
feeling address to the convention, saying, in conclusion : 

"Finally, permit me to remind you, gentlemen, that not merely 
the fortunes of the great constitutional party which you repre- 
sent, but the fortunes of the Constitution, also, are at stake in 
the acts of this convention. 

"During the period of eighty-four years, we, the States of this 
Union, have been associated together, in one form or another, 
for objects of domestic order and foreign security. We have 
traversed, side by side, the war of the revolution, and other and 
later wars ; through peace and war, through sunshine and storm, 
we have held our way manfully on, until we have come to be a 
great Eepublic. Shall M'e cease to be such ? 1 will not believe it. 
I will not believe that the noble work of our fathers is to be shat- 
tered into fragments; this great Eepublic to be but a name in 
history of a mighty people once existing, but existing no longer 

2^ Col. Stockdale, our representative on the platform committee, being 
confined to his room by sickness, I was chosen by the Texas delegation 
to act in his stead. B. F. Butler, of Massachusetts, and Gov. Stevens, 
of Oregon, took such extreme States' rights positions in the committee 
room that I voted against the utterances they insisted upon being 
embodied in the platform. Butler thereupon took occasion to say that 
Texas possessed neither population, wealth, talent, nor representation to 
entitle her to much consideration. The Chairman, Col. Avery, of 
North Carolina, calling him to order, I asked that he be allowed to pro- 
ceed to the end of his tirade; and when it was finished I replied to him 
in the manner he deserved, stating among other things, that he was 
endeavoring to place the South in a false position before the country; 
that he was no friend to the South and could not deceive me or the 
Texas delegation, and that in a few decades Texas, already possessing 
every element that dignifies and renders illustrious a free people, would 
outstrip Massachusetts in the matter of representation — a prediction 
that will doubtless be verified when the census is taken during the 
present year (1900). 



280 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



save as a shadowy memory, or as a monumental ruin by the side 
of the pathway of time. I fondly trust that we shall continue 
to march on forever, the hope of nations, as well in the old world 
as in the new. As the bright orbs of the firmament, which roll 
fatally on, without rest (because bound for eternity), without 
haste (because predestined for eternity), so may it be with this 
glorious confederation of States. I pray you, therefore, gentle- 
men, in your return to your constituents, and to the bosom of 
your families, to take with you, as your guiding thought the 
sentiment of the Constitution and the Union. And with this I 
cordially bid you farewell until the prescribed reassembling of 
the convention." 

The withdrawing members assembled (May 1st) at Military 
Hall and resolved themselves into a deliberative body by elect- 
ing Senator Bayard, of Delaware, chairman, and selecting eight 
vice-presidents and a committee on resolutions. 

This committee was composed of Messrs. Stockdale, of Texas ; 
Erwin, of Alabama ; Jackson, of Georgia ; Hunter, of Louisiana ; 
Barksdale, of Mississippi ; Burrows, of Arkansas ; Magowan, of 
South Carolina; Whitely, of Delaware, and Dike, of Florida. 

We called our body the Constitutional Democratic Conven- 
tion. 

At our meeting the next day the platform committee reported 
the declaration of principles recommended in the majority report 
previously voted down in the Charleston convention, substitut- 
ing, however, the word "Constitutional" for the word "National" 
wherever it occurred in that document. This report was adopted 
nearly unanimously. 

The convention then adjourned until 8 p. m., at which time it 
was thought a presidential ticket would be made out. The gen- 
eral talk favored the nomination of Jefferson Davis for Presi- 
dent, and Chas. O'Connor, of New York, for Vice-President. 

At the evening session Judge Winston, of Alabama, denounced 
the new platform as a humbug, and nominations were lost sight 
of in the stormy debates that followed. 

The upshot of the discussion was, that the consideration of 
nominations was postponed, and we adjourned to meet again at 
Richmond, Va.. early in June, at which time it was agreed nom- 
inations should be made and a platform promulgated. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 281 



This action was taken in order that all the States might have 
an opportunity^ to send delegates. 

The Constitutional Democratic convention reassembled at 
Richmond, June 11th, in accordance with this plan. 

I was elected temporary chairman. 

The States of Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Geor- 
gia, Florida, South Carolina, Arkansas, Virginia, and New York 
were represented. 

After the appointment of a committee on organization and one 
on credentials, the convention adjourned to await reports. 

The meeting was promptly called to order the following day 
at the hour prescribed at adjournment. The attendance of dele- 
gates was large, all the seceding States being fully represented. 
The hall was also well filled with ladies, who occupied the side 
seats. 

The committees having reported and their reports having been 
adopted, the convention was permanently organized by electing 
Hon. John Erwin, of Alabama, president, and vice-presidents 
and secretaries from each of the States represented except New 
York. 

It then adjourned, to enable the members to attend the Balti- 
more convention, which met on the 18th. Provision was made, 
however, by resolution, for reassembling at Eichmond, should 
President Erwin deem it advisable. 

This line of proceedure was adopted in deference to the advice 
of Democratic members of Congress, who had issued a circular 
advising us to pursue that course and endorsing all previous 
action taken by us. Nineteen signatures were affixed to this 
circular, among others those of John Slidell, Jefferson Davis, 
L. Q. C. Lamar, Eobert Toombs, E. M. T. Hunter, J. M. Mason, 
J. P. Benjamin, and Jno. H. Eeagan. 

The idea was for us to participate in the regular convention at 
Baltimore and if possible, without stultification or surrender of 
principle, get a satisfactory platform adopted; but, if we failed 
in that, to reassemble at Eichmond and put out candidates.^" 

^° This action of the convention goes to show how loath were its mem- 
bers to accept as permanent the disruption of the National Democratic 
party till all honorable means were tried to restore its integrity. 



283 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



The Baltimore convention met in the Front Street Theater, 
that cit}^, June 18th and was called to order by Mr. Gushing. 

On roll-call of States, the following responded : Maine, Xew 
Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Ehode Island, Connecticut, 
New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North 
Carolina, Missouri, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, 
Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, California and Oregon — twenty- 
four in all. In calling the roll of the States, the names of those 
whose delegations had withdrawn from the convention at 
Charleston were omitted. 

In addressing the convention, Mr. Gushing said: "Gentle- 
men, we assemble here now, at a time when the enemies of the 
Democratic party — let me say the enemies of the Constitution of 
the United States [applause] — are in the field with their se- 
lected leader (Abraham Lincoln), with their banners displayed, 
advancing to the combat with the constitutional-interests party 
of the United States; and upon you, gentlemen, upon your 
actions, upon your spirit of harmony, upon your devotion to the 
Constitution, upon your solicitude to maintain the interests, the 
honor, and integrity of the Democratic party, as the guardian 
of the Constitution; upon you it depends whether the issue 
of that combat is to be victory or defeat for the Constitution of 
the United States." 

Considerable speech making was indulged in as to whether 
delegates from States whose representatives had withdrawn from 
the convention at Charleston should be admitted to seats, if they 
applied for that privilege. It was at first mild and courteous, 
but afterwards bitter and harsh in expression. 

Mr. A. A. King, of Missouri, said : "The protest of Texas in 
withdrawing from the Charleston convention, was, next to Flor- 
ida, the most insulting of all, and their withdrawal was absolute 
and unconditional. They even protested against allowing any- 
body else to represent the State. . . . The Eichmond con- 
vention has not adjourned, but simply taken a recess, its mem- 
bers come here only for mischief, and if they can not have 
their own way, intend to go back and . . . nominate some 
man and run him against the regular nominee of the Dem- 
ocratic party made here." They should never be admitted to the 
Baltimore convention by his vote, said he, so help him God. 
[Applause.] 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 283 



King might have saved his temper and his manners, as we 
did not desire to further participate in the deliberations of a 
convention that had so rudely denied to us any recognition of 
our rights. 

Mr. West, of Connecticut, said: "The seceders went out be- 
cause the majority would not adopt a platform which would de- 
stroy the party in every free State. . . ." and that he would 
do as much as anyone to save the Union; but, if the South 
would go, he would say, "good-by, Hal." 

The credentials committee report (which was adopted) rec- 
ommended the seating of the Texas delegation, and contesting 
delegations, instead of the regular delegations, from the other 
withdrawing States. The Texas delegation declined to take ad- 
vantage of the proffered opportunity of playing tail to the kite 
of the Douglass machine, and simply remained in the hall as on- 
lookers. Had all the regular delegations been invited to seats, it 
is possible that Texas might have, with the others, accepted and 
made one more effort to heal the breach and select, on a just plat- 
form, a nominee for the whole party. The seating of the irregu- 
lar delegations and the tone of the speeches delivered convinced 
the representatives of Southern Democracy that they had noth- 
ing to expect and that the fixed determination was to adhere 
to positions already taken and nominate Mr. Douglas, let the 
consequences to the party and country be what they would. 

Mr. Gaulden, of Georgia, said that he proposed to remain in 
the convention ; that he was for maintaining the integrity of the 
National Democratic party; that he belonged to the extreme 
South, and that he was pro-slavery "in every sense of the word ; 
yea, an African slave trade man." 

Mr. Claiborne, of Missouri, was severe on the seceders, stating 
that "he had heard no one say they could elect their nominees; 
they only hoped to give the Southern States to Bell and Everett ; 
and, if there was anything that the Southern Democracy dis- 
liked, next to abolitionism, it was the fossil remains of Whiggery 
and Know-ISTothingism." . . . These men would all re- 
pent," said he, "of bolting, and come back in less than four 
years." 

The convention soon began to crumble and fall to pieces, a 
number of State delegations (principally Southern) withdraw- 



284 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



ing, among the number, those from Delaware, Virginia, Ken- 
tucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Oregon, and California. 

On the presentation of a motion to proceed to the nomination 
and selection of candidates, Mr. Gushing arose and addressed the 
convention, saying: "The delegations of a majority of the 
States having, in whole or in part, in one form or another, ceased 
to participate in the deliberations of this convention. ... I 
deem it my duty to resign my seat as president of the convention 
[prolonged cheering in the galleries], in order to take my seat on 
the floor as a member of the delegation from Massachusetts, and 
to abide whatever may be the determination of that delegation in 
regard to its future action." 

Governor Tod, of Ohio, one of the vice-presidents, took the 
chair amidst prolonged applause. 

Mr. Butler then stated that he and others, constituting part of 
the Massachusetts delegation, desired to retire. He said this 
action was taken for the reason that a majority of the States had, 
in whole or in part, withdrawn ; and that, speaking to a matter 
personal to himself, he could not, and would not sit in a conven- 
tion where the African slave trade, denounced by the laws of his 
country as a heinous crime, was openly advocated. [Applause.] 

This was a misrepresentation on the part of Butler, based on 
the remarks of Mr. Gaulden, of Georgia, whose boast that he was 
in favor of it had been received in contemptuous silence, until 
Butler's righteous soul (?) stirred it up again. 

Butler withdrew, followed by Mr. Gushing and four others of 
the Massachusetts delegation. 

Mr. Soule, of Louisiana, one of the bogus delegates from 
Louisiana, on being loudly called for, addressed the convention, 
saying that he stood with John G. Galhoun on the doctrine of 
nonintervention in the territories, and where Galhoun could 
stand. Southern men need not fear to stand; secession from 
the convention meant disunion; the JSTorthern abolitionists 
wanted Gongress to exclude slavery from the territories ; South- 
ern gentlemen wanted congressional protection for slavery in 
the territories; "the true doctrine was that advocated by Mr. 
Douglas, nonintervention ;" the gentlemen who had seceded from 
the convention knew that the mass of their people at home 
would not sustain them, and the best proof of it was, that in no 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 285 



State where delegations had seceded had the seceders called a 
fair convention of the people to put to the test their pretensions 
— and much more of the like. This did not apply, so far as we 
were concerned, as the Texas delegation had not returned home 
to agitate any such question. 

To render Mr. Douglas' nomination absolutely certain, the 
two-thirds rule was now so modified as to mean only two-thirds 
of the delegates in the convention. Two-thirds of the votes of 
all the delegates from all the States was the rule at Charleston. 

On the first ballot Douglas received 173| votes; Guthrie, 9; 
Breckenridge, 6^ ; Bocock, 1 ; Seymour, 1 ; Dickinson, \ ; Wise, \ 
vote. 

The second ballot gave Douglas 181^ votes, Breckenridge, 7-J, 
and Guthrie, 5^ votes. 

The nomination of Douglas was then, on motion, made unani- 
mous, the resolution declaring him to be the standard-bearer of 
the "Democratic Union Party" for president. Delegates leaped 
to their feet, hats were waved in the air, and many tossed aloft; 
shouts, screams, and yells, and every boisterous mode of express- 
ing approbation was resorted to. This demonstration at an 
end, telegrams conveying congratulations from various Northern 
States were opened as they were received and read to the con- 
vention, each reading being followed by cheering. 

The following resolution, explanatory of Douglas' platform, 
was offered by Mr. Wickliffe, of Louisiana, and adopted by the 
convention : 

"Eesolved, That it is in accordance with the true interpreta- 
tion of the Cincinnati platform that, during the existence of the 
territorial government, the measure of restriction, whatever it 
may be, imposed by the Federal Constitution on the powers of 
the territorial legislature over the subject of domestic relations, 
as the same has been or shall hereafter be finally determined by 
the Supreme Court of the United States, should be respected by 
all good citizens and enforced with promptness and fidelity by 
every branch of the government." 

Mr. Eichardson, of Illinois, now let out, in an oracular way, 
what he seemed to believe was a great secret, viz : that Mr. Doug- 
las would actually accept the nomination that had just been 
made. It would have been strange indeed if he would not 



286 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



accept what he had been scheming and working to obtain for ten 
years. 

In announcing the result of the vote on the question of ad- 
journment sine die, President Tod said : "Victory in this con- 
test, fellow Democrats, is in our hands. [Applause.] We have 
only to continue sternly, firmly, patiently, fairly, and honor- 
ably in the discharge of our duties, as we have done since we 
met in Charleston, to crown our efforts with entire success. 

"Wishing you all a safe return to your homes, ... 1 
now declare this convention adjourned without day, and bid you 
all good-bye." 

The convention then, at 10 a. m., June 33, 1860, adjourned. ^^ 

'^During the sitting of the convention there were a number of con- 
sultations between us and our friends in that body, with the object of 
deciding, if possible, upon some basis of agreement that would unite 
the two wings of the party and enable them to act together in the 
nomination of candidates and the promulgation of a platform — all, as 
has been seen, without avail. On the adjournment of one of these 
meetings in which I had acted as chairman of the Texas delegation, 
Col. Bryan being absent, and when we had walked out into the streets 
Hon. Samuel J. Randall came face to face with a man named Mont- 
gomery and at once struck him several blows with a cane. Seeing that 
Montgomery was a powerful man, I handed Randall a pistol and told 
him not to let Montgomery hit him. A crowd quickly gathered, Ran- 
dall stood his ground, and Montgomery slunk off. It seems that Mont- 
gomery had insulted Randall's father in a speech delivered in the 
Douglas convention a few days before. The New York Herald published 
next morning an exaggerated account of the street difficulty, stating 
that Col. Guy M. Bryan had handed the pistol to Randall. The colonel 
and I being of about the same stature, the Herald correspondent, learn- 
ing that a small man from Texas had thus assisted the Pennsylvanian, 
at once reached the conclusion that it was Bryan, and so stated. Colonel 
Bryan was very much incensed, and wanted to send a communication 
to the Herald. I kept very dark, but said to the colonel: "Let it go; 
what is the use of bothering about it ? Nothing more will ever come of 
it, and it will only cause the Herald to come back. Don't notice it." 
He followed my advice and let it pass. Some time afterwards I told 
him how it all happened, and that I was the bad boy who handed the 
pistol. Owing to the high tension prevailing nearly every man in Bal- 
timore was armed at the time, myself among the number, all holding 
themselves in readiness for whatever might arise. 

Hon. Samuel J. Randall later became a distinguished statesman, and 
during the dark days that followed the war was an active, able, and 
fearless defender of the South in Congress. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 287 



Our delegates met in National Democratic convention in the 
hall of the Maryland Institute, at Baltimore, at noon, June 33, 
1860. 

Charless W. Russell, of Virginia, was called to the chair. On 
taking his seat, Mr. Russell said, among other things : 

'^The convention assembled elsewhere, and from which you 
have withdrawn, has lost all title to the designation of national. 
. . . You and those whom you represent are a majority of 
the people of the Democracy and of the Democratic States. [Ap- 
plause.] They will look to you to perform the functions of a 
National Democratic convention, and you will be so recognized 
alike by the North and the South, the East and the West. 
[Cheers.] 

"I have every confidence that you will stand upon these prin- 
ciples and will be able to defend the Democratic party, protect 
the rights of all the States, and maintain the Constitution against 
all enemies, open or insidious." [Applause.] 

Messrs. Walker, of Alabama; McHenry, of Pennsylvania; 
Stevens, of Oregon; Williams, of Massachusetts, and Fisher, of 
Virginia, were, on motion, appointed a committee on organiza- 
tion. 

On call of the States, it was discovered that Maine, New 
Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, 
Michigan, AVisconsin, and Minnesota were unrepresented by 
delegates. Vermont had 1, Masachusetts 16, New York 2, Penn- 
sylvania, — , New Jersey, no representative, Delaware, — , Vir- 
ginia 23, North Carolina 16, Alabama 36, Mississippi 14, Louis- 
iana 1-1, Texas 8, Arkansas 9, Missouri 2, Tennessee 19. Ken- 
tucky 10, California 4, Oregon 3, Maryland 9, South Carolina, 
no representative, Florida 6. Iowa asked for representation 
through her two sons, H. H. Heath, of Dubuque, and John 
Johns, of Davenport. 

The committee on permanent organization recommended the 
•election of the following permanent officers : 

President, Hon. Caleb Cushing; vice-presidents and secre- 
taries (the first named being vice-presidents and the second sec- 
retaries) : Pennsylvania, V. L. Bradford and David Fist; Vir- 
ginia, 0. R. Funsten and W. P. Cooper; Oregon, A. P. Denison 
and H. R. Crosbie; California, J. E. Dresbit; Tennessee, J. 0. C. 



288 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Atkins and D. D. Withers; Kentucky, J. S. Kenrick; North 
Carolina, Bedford Brown and S. W. Humphrey; Mississippi, W. 
F. Teatherston and C. J. Armistead ; Georgia, H. S. Benning and 
F. H. West; Vermont, H. E. Stoughton; Missouri, M. J. Mc- 
Elhany; Louisiana, Eichard Taylor; Alabama, E. G. Scott and 
N. H. E. Dawson; Arkansas, Josiah Gould and F. W. Hoadley; 
Maryland, W. P. Bowie and E. S. F. Hardcastle; Delaware, \V. H. 
Eoss and W. G. Whitely; Texas, H. E. Eunnels and Thos. P. 
Ochiltree ; Florida, B. F. Wardlaw and J. J. Williams. 

The committee's report was adopted unanimously. 

Mr. Gushing was conducted to the chair by Messrs. McHenry^ 
of Pennsylvania, Walker, of Alabama, and Stevens, of Oregon. 

President Gushing was greeted with cheers and the most deaf- 
ening applause. 

On taking the chair he said : "Gentlemen of the Convention : 
We assemble here, delegates to the National Democratic conven- 
tion, duly accredited thereto from more than twenty States of 
the Union, for the purpose of nominating candidates of the Dem- 
ocratic party for the offices of President and Vice-President of 
the United States, for the purpose of announcing the principles 
of the party, and for the purpose of continuing and re-establish- 
ing that party upon the firm foundations of the Constitution, 
the Union, and the coequal rights of the several States." [Loud 
applause.] 

Mr. Butler, of Massachusetts, moved that the gentlemen (then 
on the floor) who had been appointed on the platform committee 
at Charleston, be requested to report at once. 

To Butler's motion, I objected, as being premature and hasty, 
saying: "The committee on credentials have not yet reported, 
and it is essential that we should have our proceedings perfected, 
so that we can go before the country with a clear and regular 
record. This is no trifling assemblage, and I conscientiously be- 
lieve that the nominees of this convention will be the next Presi- 
dent and Vice-President of the United States. Let us therefore 
proceed with regularity and according to Democratic usage." 

Butler's motion, though supported with a speech by Mr. John- 
son, of Maryland, failed, and the proceedings took the usual 
course. 

At Butler's request, he was relieved from duty on the commit- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 289 



tee on platform, and B. F. Hallett, of Massachusetts, who was not 
present at Charleston, appointed in his stead. 

Mr. Hunter, of Louisiana, moved that the delegates to the 
Eichmoud convention be requested to unite with their brethren 
of the National Democratic convention, if they felt authorized 
to do so. Adopted. 

The committee on credentials' report was submitted and 
adopted. 

The members of our delegation at Baltimore were: Guy M. 
Bryan, H. R. Eunnels, F. S. Stockdale, J. F. Crosby, T. P. Ochil- 
tree, and myself. 

Mr. Avery, of North Carolina, chairman of the committee on 
resolutions, reported the identical resolutions presented as the 
majority report at Charleston, and they were adopted unani- 
mously, the result being loudly cheered. 

Nominations being now in order, Mr. Loring, of Massachu- 
setts, said : "We have no personal preferences. Our desire is to 
present the name of a man here, in whom we feel confidence and 
hope, — one who stands aloof from all personal obligations, who 
has no friends to favor, and no enemies to punish. We desire to 
present the name of a man who has, in all his actions, thrilled 
our hearts with his gallantry and courage, and confirmed our 
faith by his devoted zeal for the Constitution and the Union. 
. . . In behalf of the Democratic delegates of Massachusetts, 
who hold their seats in this hall, I name as your candidate for the 
presidency of the United States, John C. Breckenridge, of Ken- 
tucky."' [Applause.] 

The nomination was seconded by Mr. Denny, of Pennsylvania. 

Mr. Ward, of Alabama, presented the name of R. M. T. Hun- 
ter, of Virginia. 

Mr. Ewing, of Tennessee, said in presenting the name of Dick- 
inson, of New York: "Everywhere he has fought our battles. 
He lives where the Democratic party can only reach him through 
a national convention." 

The name of Gen. Joseph Lane, of Oregon, was presented by 
Mr. Stevens, of Oregon. 

Mr. Matthews, of Mississippi, said: "The State convention, 
in appointing us delegates, gave an expression of opinion in re- 
gard to the selection of a candidate for the presidency. They in- 
19 



290 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



structed us to present to the Democratic National convention the 
name of one of her most distinguished sons for that position — a 
name not unknown to history — the name of a gallant son whose 
name is connected with the most gallant deeds of the army of the 
United States— the distinguished orator, statesman, and lawyer, 
Jefferson Davis. [Applause.] But, with the concurrence of that 
distinguished individual, the Mississippi delegation have deter- 
mined, for the sake of harmony, for the sake of peace, for the 
sake of principle, to withdraw that distinguished name." [Cries 
of "Good, good," and applause.] 

In the same spirit of peace and principle, the names of the 
■other candidates were withdrawn. 

On the first ballot Mr. Breckenridge received all the votes cast, 
amounting to 105|. 

President Gushing, amidst immense applause, declared Mr. 
Breckenridge the unanimous choice of the convention for Presi- 
dent. 

For Vive-President, Mr. Green, of North Carolina, put in 
nomination Gen. Joseph Lane, and it was seconded by C. L. 
Scott, of California. 

No other name being presented for the office, the States were 
called and they voted unanimously for Gen. Lane. The nomi- 
nation of Vice-President was then announced. 

Yancey, being loudly called for, stepped on the platform. 

The flow of thoughts wdth Mr. Yancey was like the flow of a 
majestic river (an Amazon moving betw^een banks like those of 
the Hudson), and his expression of them was in tones as melo- 
dious and thrilling as those of a band of fine music, and in w^ords 
such as fell from the lips of perhaps no other man — they were 
certainly not surpassed in ancient times by Demosthenes, Cicero, 
or Hortensius, nor in modern by the Earl of Chatham, Patrick 
Henry, Webster, or Mr. Clay. The recollection of him as a great 
orator that has survived to this time is w^ell founded in fact. He 
was a true patriot, a fearless champion of the cause of constitu- 
tional liberty, and was justly idolized by the Southern people. In 
his speech before the Baltimore convention he vehemently dis- 
claimed being a disunionist at that time. He said he had been, 
ten years before, when the Constitution had been violated by the 
admission of California into the Union, when the principle of 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 291 



squatter sovereignty had been recognized, and when the bringing 
of shives into, or taking them out of, the District of Columbia, 
for the purpose of sale, had been prohibited by congressional leg- 
islation — the latter act initiating the policy of abolition ; but that 
his state (Alabama) had then chosen to remain in the Union, 
and that, bowing to her decision, he had since that time urged no 
measure even remotely contemplating disunion, but had bent 
every energy of heart and brain to preserve the existing Federal 
compact in the only way it could be possibly preserved, viz., by all 
parties thereto living up to its terms, in letter and spirit. The 
accusation that he had been urging his friends to disunion, and 
to the disruption of the Democratic party, was, said he, utterly 
false. "I am, however," said Mr. Yancy, "no worshiper at the 
shrine of the Union. I am no Union shrieker. I meet great 
questions fairly, on their own merits. ... I am neither for 
the Union, nor against the Union. ... I urge, or oppose, 
measures upon the ground of their constitutionality and wisdom, 
or the reverse. When the government confessedly becomes a fail- 
ure so far as the great rights of the equality of the States and of 
the people of the States are concerned, then its organization is 
but an instrument for the destruction of constitutional liberty; 
and, taking lessons from our ancestors, we should overthrow it. 
. . . By a certain rule adopted at Charleston, known as the 
unit rule, a minority of the Democratic party were enabled to 
control the votes of a majority of those present. The principles 
of the Democratic party, as unanimously reported and adopted 
b}^ this body, were voted down by means of that same rule, by a 
vote of 165 to 138, as the real sentiments of the Democratic 
party, at Charleston, while in fact that platform was the choice 
of a majority — say of 159 to 144. . . . And, tell me, what 
other name can be given a body thus constituted, destroying the 
great representative rule of the majority by means of a trick, 
and thus controlling the deliberations of the Democratic party; 
tell me, what other name shall I give them, for I wish to give 
them only the name that properly belongs to them? Can T give 
them any other name than the name by which they will be 
damned to immortality — the name of a reckless political fac- 
tion!" [Applause.] 

Keferring to the fact that the delegates of eight States were 



292 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



driven out of the convention at Charleston by the rejection of 
Democratic principles, and to the fact that these delegates were 
sustained by their home people, who, in a spirit of harmony, de- 
sired them to return to the convention at Baltimore to make an- 
other effort for reconciliation on principle, in order that the 
country, the Democracy, and the Constitution might be pre- 
served, Mr. Yancey said : "We came here in good faith for that 
purpose. . . . The convention" (at Richmond, Va., called 
by the withdrawing delegates after leaving the Charleston con- 
vention) "reiterated no platform, lest it might be deemed a dic- 
tation to the convention here ; but it organized temporarily and 
adjourned. We came here, and how have we been received ? By 
reason of eight Southern States having retired, leaving only 
twenty-five States represented on the committee, the Douglas 
faction had control of the committee on credentials, and, against 
every usage and principle of the Democratic party, the bogus 
delegates from Alabama and Louisiana were admitted, and the 
regular representatives of the Democracy of each of these States 
were rejected." 

Mr. Yancey charged Mr. Douglas with bad faith as to Kansas 
and the Dred Scott decision, as he then held, contrary to his for- 
mer position, that the people of a territory had the power to make 
it free or slave, as they thought proper; "this last enunciation, 
too," said Mr. Yancey, "in the face of the decision of the Su- 
preme Court on the Kansas act. 

"An assertion of the principle of nonintervention was first 
insisted upon for the reason that our friends could not agree as 
to squatter sovereignty," said he, "but the Federal Supreme Court 
having decided that Congress has the power, coupled with the 
duty, to protect rights of person and property in the territories, 
this doctrine of noninteryention becomes null and void, and "the 
doctrine of protection takes its place, as emphatically and fully 
as if written out in the Kansas act. The South has the benefit 
of the opinion of the court, and is not wrong in insisting on re- 
ceiving a full achnoivledgment of its decided constitutional right 
in this particular. If there are any traitors, — any repudiators 
of the Kansas decision, — any faithless to the Cincinnati plat- 
form, — they are not to be found in our ranks. 

"I will let Mr. Douglas rest where his friends have placed him ; 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 293 



contending, however, that they have buried him, to-day, beneath 
the grave of squatter sovereignty. The nomination that was 
made (I speak it prophetically) was made to be defeated, and it 
is bound to be defeated. [Applause.] His friends themselves, 
unconsciously, doubtless, but truthfully, in most mournful and 
lugubrious strains, heralded him to the political grave that awaits 
not only them but him." [Applause.] 

After naming our nominees, giving a sketch of the political 
career of each, and glowingly eulogizing each in turn, Mr. Yan- 
cey said in conclusion: 

"The talismanic words 'Breckenridge and Lane' will be in- 
scribed upon our banners, and we will bear them onward to vic- 
tory, if God wills; not as emblems of party, or personal success, 
but as words indicative of our regard for and determination at 
all hazards to uphold and abide by what are far dearer to us and 
of far more value to the whole country — Truth, Justice, and the 
Constitution." [Loud and prolonged applause.] 

President Gushing was tendered the thanks of the body for 
the able manner in which he had presided over the deliberations 
of the convention. 

Amid great applause and cries of ^'Gushing! Gushing!" Mr. 
Gushing stepped forward and said : "Gentlemen of the Gonven- 
tion — I beg you to accept the expression of my heartfelt acknowl- 
edgment of your thanks. I do not intend to say anything more 
except to congratulate you upon the most felicitous and auspi- 
cious termination of your labors, both in the adoption of your 
platform and in the nomination of your candidates." 

Mr. Gushing was then by resolution, authorized to appoint 
committees, after the adjournment of the contention, to look 
after the campaign and take whatever other action might be 
found necessary for the promotion of party success. 

Thanks were next tendered to the local committee for provid- 
ing accommodations, and to the citizens of Baltimore for their 
hospitality. 

The national executive committee were authorized and re- 
quested to publish the proceedings of the National Democratic 
convention, from its organization at Gharleston to its adjourn- 
ment in Baltimore. 

These and other minor matters being disposed of, the conven- 



294 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



tion, on raotion, adjourned sine die and took its place in his- 
tory, a place that has been obscured by later partisan writers^ 
but is now coming to be properly understood — a place among 
the great assemblages of freemen that have met in the course of 
the history of the English-speaking race to voice the will and 
take action for the defense of the liberties of the people.^^ 



»' It may be well to state here, in evidence of the regularity of our 
proceedings, that ex-President Pierce and President Buchanan both 
supported the Breckenridge ticket. — Ed. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 295 



CHAPTEE SEVENTEEN 

Anti-Democratic Politics — Constitutional Union Convention — Bell 
Nominated — Platform — Houston Announces as the People's Candi- 
date for President — Lincoln and the Republican Party — The Feeling 
in Texas Over Lincoln's Election — The Secession Convention — Texas 
Joins the Confederate States — The Committee on Public Safety — 
Failure of All Peace Overtures from the South — War Begins. 

In the interval between the Charleston and Baltimore Demo- 
cratic conventions the Constitutional Union party held a con- 
vention at Baltimore. 

The convention was called to order by John J. Crittenden on 
May 9th. 

Washington Hunt, of N'ew York, was elected chairman. Nine- 
teen vice-presidents and eleven secretaries were appointed. 

All the States, with the exception of Oregon and South Caro- 
lina, were represented. 

The platform was a vague and latitudinous declaration in 
favor of "The Union, the Constitution, and the enforcement of 
the laws," — a mere dodge of living issues. 

Col. A. B. Norton and John H. Manly, acting in the interest 
of General Houston, presented themselves at the door of the 
convention and asked for admittance as delegates from Texas. 
The chair announced that a delegation from Texas had just ar- 
rived and were waiting at the door. Escorted by General Coombs, 
of Kentucky, they entered the hall amidst the cheers of the con- 
vention. General Coombs introduced Norton as the man with 
hair on his face and head, who had sworn twelve years before not 
to have his hair or beard cut until Henry Clay was elected Presi- 
dent. 

While General Coombs evidently considered the making and 
keeping of this oath a credit to Norton, it is more than probable 
that Mr. Clay would have regarded it as anything but a compli- 
ment to himself. 

"When Prentice, the editor of the Louisville Journal, praised 
Jackson very highly," said the Telegraph, "our friend Tom Lub- 
bock swore that the old hero's bones rattled so loud in their 



296 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



coffin that lie heard them all the wa}^ to Texas." If the bones of 
Jackson rattled under such circumstances, we can imagine a 
cold shiver of disgust u^Don the part of Mr. Clay looking down 
from his bright abode upon the Constitutional Union conven- 
tion. 

The leading candidates put forward before the convention for 
the presidential nomination were Sam Houston, John Bell, and 
John J. Crittenden. 

On the first ballot Houston received 57 votes, Bell 68^, Ever- 
ett 25, McLean 33, Graham 37, Sharkey 6, Crittenden 38, Gog- 
gan 3, Bates 9|, and Eives 3. 

On the second ballot, many weak candidates having dropped 
out, John Bell, of Tennessee, was nominated for President and 
Edward Everett, of Massachusetts, for Vice-President, both by 
acclamation.^^ 

Early in May (after the Baltimore convention) a mass meet- 
ing was held on the San Jacinto battlefield to promote Hous- 
ton's candidacy, and Mr. Manly informed the General that he 
was recommended by that meeting "to the nation, as the people's 
candidate for the presidency at the next election." To which 
Houston replied, that if the independent masses of the country 
deemed his name important in connection with the presidency, 
they had a right to use it. He concluded thus : "I have noticed 
in the proceedings of the late Baltimore convention that my 
name was submitted to that body and balloted for. Justice to 
myself compels me to say that, while I appreciate the regard 
manifested for me by the numerous gentlemen who voted for me 
on that occasion, the use of my name was entirely unauthorized 
by me, and opposed to my well-known opinions." 

Houston had said in the preceding March: "If my name 
should be used in connection with the presidency, the movement 
must originate with the people themselves, as well as end with 
them. I will not consent to have my name submitted to any con- 
vention, nor would I accept a nomination if it were tendered me, 
procured by contrivance, trick, or management. The people 
alone have the nominating power, as they have that of election." 

33 The small vote cast for the Constitutional Union candidates affords 
another illustration that ills in the body politic can not be cured by 
"glittering generalities. " — Ed. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS, 297 



It would be curious to know how the people at large could 
make a nomination save through the agency of a convention. 
But, such is politics ! 

The declarations made by Greneral Houston in March were 
merely tentative. 

Upon being formally notified of the proceedings of the San 
Jacinto mass meeting, he wrote the following letter: 

"Austin, Texas, May 24, 1860. 
*'J). D. E. Atkinson and J. W. Harris: 

"Gentlemen — In reply to your letter of the 14th instant, I 
will say that I have responded to the people at San Jacinto and 
consented to let my name go before the country as the People's 
candidate for President. ' 

"In yielding to the call of my fellow-citizens of Texas in June 
last to become a candidate for Governor, I said : 'The Constitu- 
tion and the Union embrace the only principles by which I will 
be governed, if elected. They comprehend all the old Jackson 
National Democracy I ever professed or officially practiced.' 

"These have ever guided my actions. I have no principles to 
announce. Thine truly, 

"Sam Houston." 

A. D. McCutchan, editor of the Red Land Express, published 
at San Augustine, claimed in the issue of his paper of January 
23, 1860, that great mass meetings were being held in New York 
City, advocating Gen. Sam Houston as their choice for Presi- 
dent, and that on the platform at one of these meetings a large 
portrait of the general was displayed, with the following inscrip- 
tion: 

"For President, General Sam Houston. An honest man no 
party platform needs. He follows right and goe^ where justice 
leads." 

McCutchan gave the following as an extract from the resolu- 
tions adopted : "We declare our opinion that Gen. Sam Houston, 
of Texas, is pre-eminently thq right man for the present times, 
when our whole country is disturbed by the schemes of agitators, 
corrupt conventions, traitors, and partisan demagogues ; and that 
responding to the sentiments of our fellow-citizens of Texas, as 



298 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



expressed on the battleground of San Jacinto, we hereby nomi- 
nate by acclamation, for President of the United States, the 
veteran statesman, the tried soldier, the incorruptible citizen. 
Gen. Sam Houston, of Texas." 

It becoming apparent in September that there was no pros- 
pect of a successful issue to his canvass, General Houston with- 
drew from the race, making the announcement in a card, in 
which he said: "I desire to see Texas present a united front 
against the effort to maintain here a sectional party, and to this 
end I desire to say that it is my wish that the electors associated 
with my name shall be perfectly free to cast the electoral vote of 
Texas for any national man most likely to defeat either sec- 
tionalism or disunion.'"' This "national man" was supposed to 
be, in the mind's-eye of General Houston, either Bell or Douglas, 
while Lincoln stood for sectionalism, and Breckenridge for dis- 
union. 

Abraham Lincoln^* was the Eepublican nominee for Presi- 
dent on a platform of implacable hostility to slavery. This was 
indicated by its eighth plank, which reads as follows : 

"That the normal condition of all the territory of the United 
States is that of freedom : that, as our republican fathers, when 
they had abolished slavery in all our national territory, ordained 
that 'no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property 
without due process of law,' it becomes our duty by legislation, 
whenever such legislation is necessary, to maintain this provision 
of the Constitution against all attempts to violate it; and we 
deny the authority of Congress, of a territorial legislature, or of 
any individuals, to give legal existence to slavery in any terri- 
tory of the United States." 

From this it was clear that the Eepublicans held that a terri- 
tory could not establish African slavery in its borders, even if a 
majority of the people desired it. 

This was a declaration that the differences between the North 
and the South were irreconcilable. 

8* Mr. Lincoln was comparatively an obscure man in 1860— too ob- 
scure to be asked to sign an indorsement of Helper's Lnpending Crisis, a 
book which advised the immediate and total abolition of slavery in the 
South by revolutionary measures. By signing a written recommenda- 
tion of this incendiary book as a Republican campaign document Mr. 
Seward probably lost the Republican nomination for president. — Ed. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 299 



It is true that another plank of the platform went on to 
"denounce the lawless invasion by armed force of the soil of any 
State or territory, no matter under what pretext, as among the 
gravest of crimes," — but it was well known that the supporters 
of this resolution sympatliized with John Brown in his raid on 
Harper's Ferry, and that therefore the declaration was insincere 
and intended to deceive. It was undeniable tliat John Brown 
had a large following in the North; and if they were not the 
supporters of Mr. Lincoln, of whom were they ? Certainly not the 
Democrats. It was believed, and reasonably so, that, in the 
event of Lincoln's election, these John Brownites would feel 
licensed to raid at M-ill on the Southern States, and that ISTorth- 
ern public sentiment would sustain them. 

I returned through Washington to Virginia and rejoined my 
wife at the Blue Sulphur Springs, where we remained during the 
summer. It was not till October that we found ourselves, much 
invigorated in health and strength, again at the old homestead on 
Sims' Bayou, but not in quiet and happiness, for men have 
seldom lived in more portentous times. 

Judge J. H. Eeagan, in a letter to Geo. W. Paschal, dated 
Palestine, October 19, 1860, said, among other things: 

"The plan of action that I would recommend to meet such an 
emergency is this : That if Lincoln should be elected, as soon 
as that fact shall be ascertained, for the Governors of all the 
slave-holding States to convene all the Legislatures at once, for 
the purpose of enabling them by law to provide for State con- 
ventions. And that said State conventions should provide for a 
general convention of delegates from all the States aggrieved. 
And this general convention should present to the free States 
propositions requiring a renewal of the original guaranties of 
the Constitution in favor of our rights, in such specific form as 
to settle forever the question as to the extent and character of the 
rights of the slave States and of the owners of slave property." 

Hon. Guy M. Bryan said, in part : "I do not hesitate to say 
that, if Lincoln should be inaugurated without new and effi- 
cient guaranties being given by the Northern to the Southern 
States, in my opinion Texas could not within honor remain in 
the Union. She could not remain there in safety." 

Abraham Lincoln was elected by the votes of the eighteen free 



300 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



States-. In the electoral college Douglas received the votes of 
Missouri and part of New Jersey, twelve in all; Bell carried 
Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia, with their thirty-nine votes ; 
while Breckenridge won in all the other States, receiving their 
seven t3^-t wo votes. Lincoln received 180 electoral votes, which, 
being a majority, would make him president. 

The popular vote stood: Lincoln, 1,857,610; Douglas, 1,365,- 
976; Breckenridge, 847,953; Bell, 590,631 votes. 

The election of Mr. Lincoln as President was accepted by the 
people of the cotton States as conclusive evidence of the settled 
purpose of the Northern people to overthrow our domestic insti- 
tutions. Then secession began in order to save the imperiled 
domestic tranquillity of these States. It was not generally be- 
lieved that our withdrawal from the Union would be forcibly 
resisted by the Lincoln government, as the doctrines of secession 
and nullification were both of Northern origin. Besides, the 
analogy of history pointed to a peaceful separation; for the 
confederacies of Colombia and of Central America had dissolved 
without bloodshed. Surely our countrymen were more civilized 
and humane than the Indo-Spaniards, and vje were determined 
not to fight unless to prevent the domestic violence consequent 
on submission to Eepublican rule. 

In response to a letter from Huntsville, dated November 14, 
I860, signed by H. M. Watkins, P. W. Kittrell, Robert P. Archer 
and sixty-two others, asking for his views on the crisis. Governor 
Houston wrote: " . . . As the chief executive of the nation, Mr. 
Lincoln will be sworn to support the Constitution and execute 
the laws. His oath will bring him in conflict with the unconsti- 
tutional statutes enacted by his party in many of the States. 
. . . Should he falter, or fail, by allowing the laws to be 
subverted, and in oppressing the people of the South, he must 
be hurled from power. ... He has declared the fugitive 
slave law to be unconstitutional. When we must choose between 
the loss of our constitutional rights and revolution, I shall take 
the latter. . . . Mr. Lincoln has been constitutionally 
elected, and, much as I deprecate his success, no alternative is 
left me but to yield to the Constitution. . . . When I con- 
template the horrors of civil war, such as a dissolution of the 
Union will ultimately force upon us, I can not believe that the 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 301 



people will rashly take a step fraught with these consequences. 
. . . Let us pause and ponder well before we take any action 
outside of the Constitution." 

History tells us how much Houston was opposed to secession 
in 1860. His judgment then was all against it ; but he had not 
previously done much to educate the Texans against the doctrine. 

It was well known how he had stood up to our rights as a 
State on more than one occasion in the United States Senate, 
and at one time, when Texas was more especially interested, he 
made a very plain talk about our getting out of the Union and 
taking care of ourselves in our own way. I give an extract from 
his speech favoring the establishment of a protectorate by the 
United States over Mexico, delivered in the United States Sen- 
ate April 20, 1858 : 

"Whenever one section of the country presumes upon its 
strength for the oppression of the other, then will our Constitu- 
tion be a mockery, and it would matter not how soon it was sev- 
ered into a thousand atoms and scattered to the four winds. 

"If the principles are disregarded upon which the annexation 
of Texas was consummated, there will be for her neither honor 
nor interest in the Union. If the mighty, in the face of written 
law, can place with impunity an iron yoke upon the neck of the 
weak, Texas will be at no loss how to act, or where to go, before 
the blow aimed at her vitals is inflicted. In a spirit of good 
faith she entered the Federal fold. By that spirit she will con- 
tinue to be influenced, until it is attempted to make her the vic- 
tim of Federal wrong. As she will violate no Federal rights, so 
she will submit to no violation of her rights by Federal authority. 
The covenant which she entered into with the government must 
be observed, or it will be annulled. Louisiana was a purchase, 
California, New Mexico, and Utah a conquest ; but Texas was a 
voluntary annexation. If the condition of her admission is not 
complied with on the one part, it is not binding on the other. 

"If I know Texas, she will not submit to the threatened degra- 
dation foreshadowed in the recent speech of the senator from 
New York [Mr. Seward]. She would prefer restoration to that 
independence which she once enjoyed, to the ignominy ensuing 
from sectional dictation. Sorrowing for the mistake which she 
had committed in sacrificing her independence on the altar of 



302 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



her patriotism, she would unfurl again the banner of the Lone 
Star to the breeze and re-enter upon a national career, where, if 
no glory awaited her, she would at least be free from a subju- 
gation by might to wrong and shame." 

This sounds a great deal like one of Wigfall's expositions of 
the Constitution. More than two years had elapsed since the 
delivery of that speech, and Houston now shrank back from his 
proposed remedy against sectional wrong. In his opinion at 
this time, no oppression of any character would justify the seces- 
sion of Texas from the Union. 

"David G. Burnet counsels submission to the election of Lin- 
coln and continuing in the Union till the last moment, hoping 
that the North will awaken to a sense of justice," said the Texas 
Republican, in an editorial paragraph. The Republican strongly 
advocated secession. 

In reply to a circular of the Telegraph, asking opinions as 
to the proper measures to meet the crisis after Lincoln's election, 
I said in part : 

"Those who advocate waiting, or remaining in the Union until 
some overt act is committed so glaring as to warm up those whose 
blood courses at present so slowly through their veins, will find, 
when that time arrives, that through the great patronage and 
insidious workings of a Black Republican administration, there 
will have been mustered into existence in our own midst a class 
of seditious men of sufficient numbers in some localities of the 
South to bring on civil war and bloodshed among ourselves. 

"These results I would avoid, and I believe that secession is 
the remedy. 

"From conversation had, and correspondence with many, as 
also from observation during my recent visit to some twelve 
States of the Union, I feel assured that Mississippi, Alabama, 
Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas, and probably other 
States, will take immediate action should our country be cursed 
by the election of a Black Republican. 

"I think Texas should be no laggard. She has as much at 
stake as any of her sister States." 

At a public meeting in Marshall it was resolved, "that the elec- 
tion of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency of the United States 
is a violation of the spirit of the Constitution, and should be re- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 303 



sisted by the States." The Lone Star flag was hoisted, and W. B. 
Ochiltree spoke in its behalf. "The crisis," said he, "is upon us 
and must be squarely met, when equality of rights is denied to my 
section, and let us quietly but determinedly resolve to 'take up 
arms against a sea of troubles, and, by opposing, end them.' " 

Hon. J. M. Clough, another speaker at the meeting, delivered 
a most eloquent address, expressing himself in favor of resistance 
to the election of Lincoln. Hon. Eli H. Baxter followed in the 
same strain. Jas. Turner, a fiery orator, advised resistance to 
Lincoln. Hon. Pendleton Murrah was calmer, but firm in the 
conviction that the crisis had come and the Southern people had 
to meet it. 

The meeting finally advised the calling of a convention to de- 
termine the status of Texas as to the Union; but recommended 
caution, prudence, and calm deliberation in our future conduct. 

Pendleton Murrah believed that the State ought ( after declar- 
ing her intentions through a convention) to seek conferences 
with the other Southern States, and omit no effort to secure 
united action among them. "It might be," said he, "that united 
action among the Southern States would secure from the North- 
ern States no satisfactory guarantees for the future. . . . 
If these [efforts] all fail, it will be admitted that the last battle, 
on the last inch of territory, has been fought for the rights and 
equality of the Southern States in the Union; and that the 
gloomy alternative is distinctively presented them of submitting 
to Black Eepublican rule, a slow but certain death, or of reject- 
ing that rule as she [Texas] would reject a deadly poison." 

E. Greer advised action with a view to secession, saying: "A 
more consummate piece of folly could not be committed than to 
wait for the jSTorth to inaugurate her withering, dishonoring, 
and diabolical policy. The overt act has been committed [in Lin- 
coln's election]. Let the South speak out, or forever hold her 
peace." In anticipation of the secession of South Carolina, he 
tendered Governor Pickens, of that State, the services of a 
mounted regiment of Texas volunteers. 

Alluding to efforts being made to amicably adjust sectional 
differences, ]\rr. Wigfall wrote from his seat in the United States 
Senate to a friend, imder date of December 7, 1860 : "The propo- 
sition to settle the question by further amendments amounts to 



304 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



nothing and is intended to produce division among us. The 
North will not yield an inch. They will not give us what we are 
now entitled to ; they will not agree to leave us what we have." 

South Carolina, my native State, was the first to secede, and 
was soon followed by Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and 
Louisiana. 

Commissioners from these sovereign bodies politic met at 
Montgomery, Ala., and entered provisionally into a new compact, 
thfe new, and, it was hoped, better union to be known as the Con- 
federate States of North America. The people of Texas were 
allied to those of the seceding States by the ties of blood, con- 
sanguinity, common interests, and common institutions, and 
when South Carolina declared herself out of the Union the news 
was received in Texas as a final announcement that the time for 
separation from the Northern States had arrived, and aroused a 
wave of enthusiasm that rolled from the Sabine to the Rio 
Grande and from the Indian Territory to the Gulf. 

Governor Houston, strongly in favor of prolonging our stay in 
the Federal Union, refused to call an extra session of the Legis- 
lature until compelled to do so by the overwhelming pressure of 
public opinion. 

A still higher body than the Legislature, restricted as it was 
by constitutional limitations, was needed to determine and carry 
out the will of the people, and a convention with plenary powers 
was therefore called by Judge 0. M. Eoberts and other leading 
men to assemble at the capital and take whatever action might 
be decided upon as needful in the impending crisis. 

The Legislature convened at Austin, January 21, 1861, in 
obedience to Houston's call, and he sent in to the two houses a 
message in which 'he said that the election of Mr. Lincoln, de- 
plorable as it was, did not warrant the secession of Texas from 
the Union. As well as can be determined from this document, 
he favored the calling of a convention of delegates from the 
slave holding States to discuss the situation and devise such 
means and take such action as might be found necessary to the 
protection of the rights of those States in the Union. 

The message was respectfully received, read, commented upon 
pro and con, and filed away amid the archives of that generation, 
now long since passed away. Its suggestions were impracticable. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 305 



The stormy current of events had swept far past the point where 
it could have commanded serious consideration. The sole inter- 
est that now attaches to it is as the last utterance of Houston in 
favor of the Union. 

The convention met January 28, 1861, and perfected organ- 
ization by electing Justice Oran M. Roberts president and R. T. 
Brownrigg secretary. The sessions of the body were attended 
by the Governor, members of the Legislature, Justices of the 
Supreme Court, heads of State departments, and distinguished 
personages from all parts of Texas. 

After several days spent in debate, the secession ordinance was 
reported and adopted February 1st, by a vote of 167 ayes to 7 
nays. 

The negative votes were cast by Thos. P. Hughes, of William- 
son; Wm. H. Johnson, of Lamar; Joshua Johnson, of Titus; 
A. P. Shuf ord, of Wood ; Jas. W. Throckmorton, of Collin ; Lem 
Williams, of Lamar, and Geo. W. Wright, of Lamar. The ablest 
of these was Mr. Throckmorton, who, in later and darker days, 
rendered patriotic services and greatly endeared himself to the 
people of Texas. 

In the preamble of the ordinance to dissolve Texas' connection 
with the Union, it was claimed that the Federal government had 
failed to accomplish the purposes of the compact of Union be- 
tween the States, not having given protection either to the per- 
sons of our people upon an exposed frontier or to the property 
of our citizens, and that the attitude assumed by the Northern 
States, in the light of recent developments, made it evident that 
the power of the Federal government would be made a weapon 
with which to strike down the interests and prosperity of the 
people of Texas. 

As an original question, secession, perhaps, would have failed 
to carry in Texas; but, the six leading cotton States having al- 
ready resorted to an exercise of the right, banded themselves to- 
gether in a new confederation, and formed a new government, 
Texas was apparently confronted with the alternatives of- becom- 
ing a party to the new compact, remaining in the Union, or re- 
suming her sovereignty as a separate republic. Had she desired 
to desert her sister States of the South in this hour of need and 
peril (which she did not) and resume her former station as a 
20 



306 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



republic, it was realized that she could not preserve a neutral 
attitude and maintain herself in that condition. The idea of re- 
maining in the Union, and thereby arraying herself with the 
avowed enemies of the South, was not to be thought of. The 
course that was adopted was the only one that was open to her. 

Nor was she withheld from it by sentimental considerations. 
The Northern States generally sympathized with our Mexican 
enemies in our struggle for independence and opposed our ad- 
mission into the Union, Massachusetts going so far (by legis- 
lative resolution) as to declare the annexation of Texas, ipso 
facto, a dissolution of the Union. Our people really preferred 
to fight Massachusetts rather than Louisiana, if fighting should 
become necessary. 

While she might have cheerfully taken part in further efPorts 
to preserve the Union, if her sister States of the South had co- 
operated therein, and while she might have preferred such action, 
yet, when they put fortune to the hazard by separation, and she 
had to go with them or their enemies, she turned to them as 
naturally, promptly, and unalterably as the needle to the pole. 

John H. Brown, of Bell; Pryor Lea, of Goliad; Malcolm D. 
Graham, of Rusk ; George Flournoy, of Travis, and A. P. Wiley, 
having been appointed a committee for that purpose, prepared 
a declaration setting forth the causes that impelled the State of 
Texas to secede. This was reported to and adopted by the con- 
vention, February 2d. 

"The States of Maine," says the declaration, "Vermont, New 
Hampshire, Connecticut, Ehode Island, Massachusetts, New 
York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Iowa, by 
solemn legislative enactments, have deliberately, directly or in- 
directly, violated the third clause of the second section of the 
fourth article of the Federal Constitution, and laws passed in 
pursuance thereof, thereby annuling a material provision of the 
compact, designed by its framers to perpetuate amity between 
the members of the confederacy and to secure the right of the 
slave liolding States in their domestic institutions, — a provision 
founded in justice and wisdom, and without the enforcement of 
which the compact fails to accomplish the object of its creation. 
Some of these States have imposed high fines and degrading 
penalties upon any of their citizens, or any of their officers, who 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 307 



may carry into effect in good faith that provision of the com- 
pact, or the Federal laws enacted in accordance therewith. 

" 'Nullification Laws.' — Under this head the Ledger of Tues- 
day cites the acts passed by thirteen of the Northern States, in 
contravention of the fugitive slave law and of that section of the 
Constitution which requires their rendition to their owners. 
The States whose legislative acts are thus cited are : Maine, New 
Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode 
Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, In- 
diana, Iowa, and Wisconsin. . . . 

" 'The Fugitive Slave Law.' — They have proclaimed, and at 
the ballot box sustained, the revolutionary doctrine that there is a 
'higher law' than the Constitution and laws of our Federal 
Union, and, virtually, that they will disregard their oaths and 
trample upon our rights. They have for years past encouraged 
and sustained lawless organizations to steal our slaves and pre- 
vent their recapture, and have repeatedly murdered Southern 
citizens while lawfully seeking their rendition. They have in- 
vaded Southern soil and murdered unoffending citizens, and 
through the press, their leading men, and a fanatical pulpit, 
have bestowed praises upon the actors and assassins in these 
crimes, while the Governors of several of these States have re- 
fused to deliver parties, implicated and indicted for participa- 
tion in such offenses, upon the legal demands of the States ag- 
grieved." 

As shown by the above, the chief wrongs complained of were 
the action of the States nullifying the fugitive slave law, the 
doctrine of '^higher lawism," and the general approval in the 
North of the John Brown raid. We thought once that slave- 
holders had some rights in the territories, but the idea was 
scouted now in the North. The struggle had narrowed down, 
with the slave States, to one for existence. 

The following were chosen as the representatives of Texas in 
the Congress of the seceding States at Montgomery : Our former 
United States Senators, John Hemphill and Louis T. Wigfall; 
John Gregg, Wm. B. Ochiltree, W. S. Oldham, John A. Wil- 
cox, and F. B. Sexton, and they set out at once for the Confeder- 
ate capital. 

The convention submitted the question of secession to a popu- 



308 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



lar vote, and after appointing a committee of pnblic safety and 
investing it with plenary powers to act in the interim, the con- 
vention adjourned February 4th to reassemble on the 2d day of 
March, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the natal day of Texan 
independence. 

Houston issued an address to the people in which he said : "I 
protest, in the name of the people of Texas, against all the acts 
and doings of the convention, and declare them null and void." 

The committee of public safety consisted of the following gen- 
tlemen:^^ Judge Jno. C. Eobertson, of Smith, chairman; Jas. 
Kodgers, of Marion; A. T. Eainey, of Anderson; J. E. Arm- 
strong, of Eusk; W. P. Eogers, of Harris; J. M. Norris, of 
Coryell; T. J. Devine, of Bexar; W. Miller, of Bastrop; J. J. 
Diamond, of Cooke; C. L. Cleveland, of Liberty; P. N. Luckett, 
of Nueces; Jno. A. Green, of Travis; Jno. Henry Brown, of 
Bell ; J. G. Thompson, of Fannin ; Jas. Hooper, of Hunt ; F. W. 

8 6 Judge John C. Robertson was a native of Georgia, but was raised 
on his father's plantation in Chambers County, Alabama. He received 
a liberal education and graduated in the law department of Cambridge 
University at the time Judges Story and Greenleaf were professors of 
law in that institution. He moved to Texas in the early part of 1S52, 
and practiced law in Henderson for a short while in partnership with 
the late Wm . Stedman. He was elected a delegate to the Secession 
Convention of 1860. He afterwards enlisted in the Confederate army, 
and was elected lieutenant-colonel of Col. A. W. Terrell's regiment of 
cavalry. He served through the war and was in all of the battles of 
the Louisiana campaign. He returned home after the war and resumed 
the practice of law, associating with him Hon. W. S. Herndon, who 
was then rapidly rising in his profession. They established a large and 
extensive practice at Tyler, during which time they had associated 
with them Judge Sawnie Robertson, Judge Robertson's oldest son, who 
afterwards became a judge of the Texas Supreme Court. In 1878 Judge 
Robertson was elected district judg-e of the old Tyler district, succeed- 
ing Judge M. H. Bonner, who was elevated to the Supreme Court. He 
was again re-elected in 1880 for the full term of four years, and be- 
fore its expiration he decided to retire to private life, but returned to 
the practice for a short time afterwards, being associated with Judge 
.John M. Duncan, of Tyler. He died at his home in Tyler in August, 
1895, in the 71st year of his age. 

Judge Terrell, while highly esteeming Judge Robertson as a man, 
also greatly respected him for his civic and military abilities. The ed- 
itor long enjoyed the intimate acquaintance of Judge Robertson, and he 
mourned his death as that of a very dear friend. — Ed. 



LUBBOCK S MEMOIRS. 309 



Latham, of Cameron; Chas. Ganahl, of Kerr; John S. Ford, of 
Cameron ; and my brother, Thos. S. Lubbock, of Harris. 

The delicate task of ridding Texas of the United States troops 
in her borders and providing for the safety of onr frontier was 
assigned to them. A sub-committee, consisting of Messrs. Maver- 
ick, Devine, and Luckett, induced Gen. Twiggs, department com- 
mander at San Antonio (by negotiation, and the display of force 
under Ben McCulloch), to surrender the United States govern- 
ment property and to agree to withdraw all the United States 
troops, numbering about 2600, from the State. This bloodless 
achievement reflected great credit on the whole committee and 
their able but prudent chairman. Judge Robertson. These 
United States troops began to rendezvous at Green Lake, pre- 
paratory to embarking for ISTew York, but the war coming on, 
they were all captured by the force under Maj. Earl Van Dorn, 
and paroled before being permitted to leave Texas. 

During the recess of the convention a part of the committee 
of public safety held a session at Galveston and dispatched an 
expedition of four hundred men, under Colonel Ford, with two 

commissioners, E. B. Nichols and Wetter, to the Rio 

Grande. En route. Ford captured Brazos Santiago and a 
small Federal garrison at Brownsville, and United States author- 
ity ceased on the lower Mexican border. A month or so after 
this Colonel Ford campaigned in this section with a part of the 
regiment given him by the convention, while the other part, un- 
der his lieutenant-colonel, John P. Baylor, occupied El Paso. 

The convention provided that this regiment of mounted vol- 
unteers should continue under State control till received into the 
Confederate service. Edwin Waller was Ford's major. 

The popular vote stood 39,415 for and 13,841 against the or- 
dinance of secession. 

The secession convention reassembled March 2, canvassed the 
returns, and announced the result, and on the 4th passed an 
ordinance uniting Texas with the Confederate States of Amer- 
ica; and further ordained, that the delegation theretofore ap- 
pointed to the Congress of the Confederate States be authorized 
to act in said Congress as the dul}^ accredited representatives 
of Texas. But the permanent Constitution adopted by the Con- 



310 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



gress was not to become obligatory upon Texas until approved 
in some satisfactory way. 

A copy of the permanent Constitution of the Confederate 
States having been forwarded to Austin by our delegate at Mont- 
gomery, the convention, after due consideration, proceeded to 
adopt it by a vote of 128 in favor of to 2 against it. As all the 
good features of the old United States Constitution were re- 
tained in the new Confederate Constitution, with some addi- 
tional guaranties of the rights of the States, it was not deemed 
advisable to defer its adoption by referring it to the popular vote. 
The unionists raised an additional howl at this, seeming to for- 
get, or rather to be ignorant of the fact, that the United States 
Constitution was adopted by conventions in the original States. 
If the people ever voted on the Declaration of Independence, I 
have been misinformed. 

Texas having now become a member of the Southern Confed- 
eracy by deliberate act of her people, the convention passed an 
ordinance requiring all State officers to subscribe to an oath to 
support the Confederate Constitution, fixing March 16th as the 
time for the observance of that ceremony. On the day and at 
the hour (12 m.) appointed, all of the State officials took the 
oath with the exception of Governor Houston, Secretary of State 
E. W. Cave, and Attorney- General A. B. Norton, who failed to 
appear. 

The convention thereupon declared the offices vacant, and on 
the 18th Lieutenant-Governor Edward Clark formally entered 
upon his duties as Governor of Texas. 

The convention having completed its labors adjourned sine die 
on the 26th of March. 

The secession convention was undoubtedly composed of the 
leading men of Texas. A partial list of the names of the mem- 
bers will verify this assertion : Edwin "Waller, Amzi Bradshaw, 
Jno. Henry Brown, Thos. J. Chambers, Thos. S. Lubbock, Jas. 
M. Maxey, Geo. W. Chilton, Chas. L. Cleveland, Eichard Coke, 
John W. Dancy, Thos. J. Devine, George Flournoy, Spencer 
Ford, John S. Ford, Chas. Stewart, F. S. Stockdale, B. F. Terry, 
Nathaniel Terry, J. W. Hutcheson, Joh"n Ireland, Thos. J. Jen- 
nings, Malcolm D. Graham, Peter W. Gray, John A. Green, Phil. 
T. Herbert, A. W. 0. Hicks, A. M. Hobby, E. B. Nichols, James 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 311 



W. Korris, A. T. Obenchain, W. B. Ochiltree, W. S. Oldham, A. 
T. Eainey, John H. Eeagan, E. S. C. Eobertson, John C. Rob- 
ertson, Eobt. S. Gould, Wm. P. Eogers, John Eugely, H. E. 
Eimnels, Pryor Lea, John A. Wilcox, A. P. Wiley, Allison Nel- 
son, John Gregg, Wm. P. Hardeman, Jerome B. Eobertson, Wm. 
E. Scurry, John A. Wharton, and Joseph L. Hogg. The last 
seven named became generals in the Confederate array. In the 
list are also found the names of one ex-Governor and two future 
Governors, with a brilliant array of names distinguished in all 
the walks of life, civil and military. 

While these exciting events were transpiring in Texas I re- 
mained quietly on my ranch, but taking a deep interest in pub- 
lic affairs. Like secessionists generally, I deprecated war; but 
could now see but little hope of averting it, except by submission 
to abolition rule. 

There were some, however, who believed, or rather hoped, that 
steps could be devised that would result in the preservation of 
the Union. 

A congressional committee, composed of Eepublicans and 
Democrats, was appointed with this end in view, but accom- 
plished nothing, as the Eepubliean members jeeringly and in- 
sultingly rejected every proposition submitted and refused to 
submit any in turn. 

The Peace Congress at Washington (presided over by ex-Presi- 
dent Tyler) also failed to effect an adjustment of the differences 
— which is not surprising, in view of the fact that it was boldly 
avowed on the part of the North there would be no more slave 
States or rendition of fugitive slaves.^^ 

All that now remained to be done was to effect an agreement 
between the States remaining in the Union and those retiring 
from it, for an equitable apportionment of the public debt and 
division of public property. 

The Confederate authorities at Montgomery sent commission- 
ers to Washington for this purpose ; but, confident of success in 
a physical struggle, the Federal government rejected the peace- 
ful solution proffered by the Confederates and began active prep- 

«* The Yankee abolitionists appear never to have been honest enough 
to contemphite emancipation accompanied by compensation to the own- 
ers of the slaves, the policy pursued by the British in the West Indies. 



312 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



arations for war. It was only a question of time when a collision 
would occur. The occasion soon arose on the attempted rein- 
forcement of Fort Sumter, in Charleston harbor, which the 
United States government refused to give up on the secession of 
South Carolina. On learning that a Federal fleet with 2500 
men on board had sailed from New York for the purpose of re- 
inforcing the garrison at Sumter, the Confederates opened fire 
on the fort and compelled its surrender. Thus, by no act of 
our own, the war was forced upon us. If an enemy advances 
upon you in a threatening manner with a drawn dagger, you 
may shoot him down with your pistol before he gets close enough 
to strike you ; and the firing of your pistol would not be the be- 
ginning of the fight and you would not be the aggressor. So it 
seemed to me then, and so it seems now. 

The fall of Sumter^'' was followed by a call from President 
Lincoln for 75,000 troops to suppress what he called the insur- 
rection in a certain district. Virginia, North Carolina, Tennes- 
see, and Arkansas immediately withdrew from the Union and 
linked their fortunes with those of the other Southern States. 
We had now eleven States and a white population of about 
5,500,000. Still, the odds against us were immense, — a popula- 
tion of 22,000,000, a regular army and navy,^^ and the prestige 
of an established government. It is no wonder that Secretary 
Seward boasted that the Confederacy would be knocked to pieces 
in less than ninety days. 

The most serious aspect of the situation was the unbroken 
front of the North, that had apparently risen as one man against 
us. We had never calculated on having to fight a united North. 
Our Democratic friends had assured us that they would stand 

8' The first gun of the civil war was fired in 1859 by John Brown 
at Harper's Ferry, and Old Glory, then detested by Northern fanatics, 
was hauled down from the United States fort and trampled upon with- 
out ceremony. Northern governors refused to extradite those of Brown's 
outlaws who escaped to their States. 

Such an outrage as the Harper's Ferry affair would undoubtedly be 
casu» beUi between independent powers. The Constitution had failed 
to give "domestic tranquillity" to the States in the Union.— Ed. 

8 8 The complaints of Yankee writers about their unpreparedness for 
war appear childish when it is considered that the Confederates did not 
have a single ship or regular soldier in the winter of 1860-61. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 313 



in the breach and give the Republicans enough to attend to at 
home. Instead of that, however, a majority of them (the war 
Democrats), under Mr. Douglas, went over boot and baggage 
to the enemy. This unexpected treachery of the war Democracy 
in the North revealed to us the magnitude of the struggle await- 
ing us. 

I never took any stock in the rumors of foreign intervention, 
and I always held that our independence must be won by force of 
our unaided arms. Our foreign allies in the Revolutionary War, 
it is true, decided the contest in our favor; but circumstances 
were different with us. Our peculiar institution was opposed by 
the civilized world, and there was but little reason to expect help 
from Europe. 

Be this as it may, we were in the war and now had to fight it 
out, and like true Americans the Confederates rushed to the 
fray without counting the odds. 



314 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. 

Union Element in Texas — Frank Terry, Tom Lubbock, and Tom Goree 
at the Front — Compliments for Gallantry at Manassas — Military Ope- 
rations in the State — Shelling at Galveston — Protest of Foreign Con- 
suls to Captain Alden — My Candidacy for Governor — Dallas Conven- 
tion — Terry Rangers — Trip to Richmond and First Impressions of 
President Davis — On My Way Home I Saw Tom for the Last Time. 

A small but able faction in Texas, whose acknowledged leaders 
were the Hancocks (John and George), E. J. Davis, A. J. Ham- 
ilton, Geo. W. Paschal, E. M. Pease, A. B. Norton, and Swante 
Palm, continued steadfast to the Union during the entire war. 
Outside of this, the white population of Texas supported the 
Confederacy with practical unanimity. 

Immediately after the adjournment of the Secession Conven- 
tion Tom S. Lubbock and Geo. Goldthwaite journeyed post haste 
to the then Confederate capital at Montgomery and solicited 
commissions to raise troops for the Confederate service ;^^ but 
their request was not granted, the Secretary of War stating that 
it would, in his opinion, be unnecessary to organize troops in a 
State so distant as Texas, that the cost of transportation would 
be too great, that enough men could be enlisted nearer the scene 
of actual conflict, and that the war would be of short duration. 
Tom com.batted these opinions with all the eloquence and logic 
that he could command, but in vain. Somewhat chagrined and 
indignant, he returned to Texas. After remaining at home a few 
days he determined to go to Virginia on the front line, nearest 
the enemy. "I was a member of the convention," said he, "and 
advocated secession, and I will be in the first battle for the main- 
tenance of the Confederate government." 

38 A Houston Telegraph correspondent, under date of May 15th, thus 
writes of the Texans then at Montgomery: 

" Among distinguished citizens of Texas now in this city are Hon. 
Thos. S. Lubbock and George Goldthwaite, Esq., of your city. The 
former gentleman is without doubt concocting some scheme to the det- 
riment of 'Old Abe's' peace, and that of Yankeedom in general, and, 
from his well known character, we feel assured that anything he may 
attempt will be carried out successfully. . . . " 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS, 315 



Frank Terry was a member of the Convention, and, like Tom, 
a fiery secessionist. Together with Tom Goree, they left Hous- 
ton for Virginia early in June.^'-' 

Eeaching Virginia in July, they pushed on to the Confederate 
army near Manassas, sought out General Longstreet, and re- 
quested to be assigned to duty. They were well received by the 
General, who at once assigned Goree to staff duty with himself. 
This position he held until the surrender, retaining the con- 
fidence and esteem of his chief during the entire war; Terry 
and Lubbock were assigned by General Longstreet to very im- 
portant scouting duty, and all three had the honor of par- 
ticipating in the battle of Manassas, the first great battle of 
the war, and rendered valuable service, winning the following 
favorable mention from General Longstreet in his official report 
" of the engagement : "About an hour after my position was 
taken, it was discovered by a reconnoissance, made by Colonels 
Terry and Lubbock, that the enemy were moving in heavy col- 
umns towards our left. . . . This information was at once 
sent to headquarters. . . . Colonels Terry and Lubbock then 
volunteered to make a reconnoissance of the position of the ene- 
my's batteries. They made a very gallant and complete one and 
a hasty sketch of his entire left. This information was for- 
warded to the commanding general with the suggestion that the 
batteries be taken. The general orders were promptly issued to 
that effect. . . . Early next day I sent Colonel Terry for- 
ward, under the protection of Captain Whitehead's troop, to pick 
up stragglers, army stores, and other property that had been 

*» The Houston Telegraph of May 31 said editorially: 
"Capt. T. S. Lubbock's guerrillas will leave Houston on or about the 
5th of June to participate in the war. They are made up of men ex- 
pecting to pay their own way. Every man will furnish his own horse 
and saddle and take with him $250 in money. AbouL fifty men are now 
ready. Daring enterprise and bold strokes are in reserve for this com- 
pany." 

June 15th a guerrilla writes from Brashear City, La.: "The guer- 
rillas are composed, so far, of Colonels Terry, Wharton, Goree, and 
Hatcher, and Captains Lubbock, Conner, et al. We will organize our- 
selves into a regiment, elect our field officers, and what few captains, 
non-commissioned officers and privates we may need we will raise after 
we get to Virginia." The guerrilla regiment spoken of was never 
raised — Ed. 



316 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



abandoned by the enemy. I have been too much occupied to get 
the names, or the number of prisoners. . . . Colonel Terry 
captured the Federal flag, said to have been made, in anticipa- 
tion of victory, to be hoisted over our position at Manassas. He 
also shot from the cupola of the courthouse at Fairfax the Fed- 
eral flag left there. These were also duly forwarded to the com- 
manding general. . . . Colonels B. F. Terry and T. S. Lub- 
bock (of the volunteer staff) were very active and energetic. 
When unoccupied, they repeatedly volunteered their services to 
make reconnoissances. They were very gallantly seconded by 
Captains T. Goree and Chichester, who were also very useful in 
conveying orders." 

In General Beauregard's report is the following commenda- 
tory notice: 

"It is also proper to acknowledge the signal services rendered 
by Cols. B. F. Terry and T. S. Lubbock, of Texas, who had at- 
tached themselves to the staff of General Longstreet. These gen- 
tlemen made daring and valuable reconnoissances of the enemy's 
positions, assisted by Captains Goree and Chichester; they also 
carried orders to the field and on the following day accompanied 
Captain Whitehead's troop to take possession of Fairfax Court 
House. Colonel Terry, with his unerring rifle, severed from its 
staff the Federal flag found still floating from the cupola of the 
courthouse there, and it fluttered to the ground. He also se- 
cured a large Federal garrison flag, designed, it is said, to be 
unfurled over our entrenchments at Manassas." 

The day after the battle my friend. General Waul, sent me 
the following telegram: 

"EiCHMOND, July 22, 186L 
"To F. R. LuUocTc: 

"Terry and Lubbock gained laurels in the battle at Manassas. 
They are unhurt. T. N. Waul." 

As Terry and Lubbock were known to have been in the bat- 
tle, this message relieved my mind from anxiety. 

Hon. Sam C. Upshaw, now an ex-State Senator of Texas, 
participated in the battle in a Mississippi command, and it is 
possible that other Texans were present. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 317 



The first call on Governor Clark was for 3000 men, and the 
next for 5000 — to have them in readiness to march on receipt 
of orders from the Secretary of War. The first Confederate 
troops to leave Texas were twenty companies of infantry for Vir- 
ginia. Our northern border was cleared of enemies by Col. W. 
C. Young, who, with his regiment, crossed Eed River in May, 
captured Fort Arbuckle, drove the United States troops out of 
the Indian Territory into Kansas, and secured by treaty the 
friendship of the Choctaws and Chickasaws. Our coast cities 
were all open to attack. The old San Jacinto veteran. Gen Sid- 
ney Sherman, repaired to the coast under orders from the Com- 
mittee of Public Safety to look after the fortifications of Galves- 
ton. Sand banks along shore constituted too feeble a defense to 
resist an enterprising enemy like ours. The only guns on hand 
with which to man regular works were a few cannon and some 
munitions of war captured at Brazos Santiago. Before any- 
thing could be done of material benefit. General Sherman was 
relieved from his arduous position by the Confederate officer, 
Capt. Jno. H. Moore,*" from New Orleans, who proceeded in 
April, 1861, to fortify Galveston as best he could, putting such 
cannon as he could procure on truck-carriages and hewn timber 
platforms behind sandbag breastworks. The captain next raised 
a company of Confederate troops to man the batteries, and did 
much to inspire confidence. The cannon taken at Fort Clark 
were also utilized in coast defenses, under the direction of a 
Confederate engineer sent out by President Davis. 

When it was known in Galveston that the United States troops 
were about to embark at Indianola a call was made for volun- 
teers, and about seventy men responded. This force at once 
sailed for Pass Cavallo on board the Matagorda. At Saluria the 
troops were transferred to the General Eusk. 

At midnight the Rusk was hailed by the United States ship 
Star of the West, lying outside the bar (off Pass Cavallo) in 
deep water and waiting for the transport Fashion to bring out 
the Federal troops from Indianola. 

Capt. Leon Smith answered : "The General Rusk with troops 
on board. Can you take our line now ?" 

♦"Colonel Moore was made commandant of Galveston Island by Gen- 
eral Hebert in the following October. 



318 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



"Certainly/' replied Captain Howe from the quarter-deck of 
the Federal vessel. He then asked why the Fashion had not 
brought the troops, and was told that the Rusk had brought out 
the first installment and the Fashion would be along in a few 
hours with the rest of the troops and their baggage. 

Captain Howe hardly had time to look at them before they 
presented bayonets, and their officer commanded him to surren- 
der. 

"To what flag am I requested to surrender?" he asked. 

Ensign Duggan of the Wigfall Guards thereupon stepped for- 
ward with the lone star flag of Texas, and said in his richest 
brogue : "That's it ! Look at it ! Me byes, did ye ever see 
the Texas flag on an Irish jackstaff before?" 

The Yankee captain had been fairly caught in a trap from 
which extrication was impossible, and, seeing that resistance 
would be useless, he surrendered with the best grace he could, 
himself, his crew of forty-two men, and his vessel. The cap- 
tured cargo consisted of 900 barrels of provisions, which prftved 
a very timely and welcome addition to the larder of our troops. 
The Star of the West was convoyed to Galveston, but being of 
too heavy draft to cross the bar, was taken to New Orleans and 
delivered to the Confederate States naval authorities. 

The extension of Lincoln's blockade to the Texan coast brought 
the usual discomforts, interruptions of trade, and actual loss of 
property incident to such a state of siege. 

It being reported July 9, 1861, that a steamer had been sighted 
in the gulf off Galveston Island, Captain Chubb, with his pilot 
boat, the Royal Yacht, accompanied by Col. J. S. Sydnor, sailed 
out to ascertain her character and the object of her visit. 

Displaying a white flag, Captain Chubb and Colonel Sydnor 
were assisted on board the steamer, and a friendly conversation 
ensued. They were told that the steamer had come to blockade 
the port and was the Federal ship of war, South Carolina, from 
Charlestown, Mass., commanded by Captain Alden. Captain Al- 
den said that it was his desire to have a friendly intercourse with 
the citizens, many of whom he hoped were for the Union. When 
told by Captain Chubb that there were no TJnion men in Galves- 
ton, he expressed his surprise and regrets. "Great God !" said 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 319 



he, "Is it possible that you have really none among you who are 
still loyal to the government of our fathers ?"' 

Further conversation disclosed the fact that he and Captain 
Chubb were natives of the same city, and were well acquainted 
with each other's families. This gave a pleasant turn to the talk, 
and Alden expressed a desire to receive friendly visits from the 
citizens, and especially from General Houston. Being told that 
General Houston was no longer a Union man, he again expressed 
surprise and regrets. 

The South Carolina was a propeller, 270 feet long, three 42- 
pounder guns in each broadside, a swivel gun, several smaller 
pieces forward and aft. Alden said he would allow jieutral ves- 
sels five days in which to leave the port. Later the South Caro- 
lina suddenly and unexpectedly steamed into the harbor, seized 
five small vessels, including the yacht Dart and the sloops Shark 
and Falcon, and put to sea. She returned August 3d, accom- 
panied by the Dart (converted into a war vessel) . The Dart came 
close inshore, fired a few shots, and retired. The next day the 
South Carolina made her appearance in a menacing attitude 
abreast the Confederate defenses, and was fired on by the Galves- 
ton batteries. The shots from the vessel were directed at the bat- 
teries, but were thrown at such an elevation as to leave no doubt 
of the wanton intention to destroy the town. Several of them 
fell and exploded a distance of half a mile from the fort, in town, 
a large piece of shell falling near the public square. Some went 
over the east side of the city, but did no damage. One shell ex- 
ploded in a garden about a quarter of a mile in the rear of the 
batteries. Sixteen shots from the steamer were replied to by 
fourteen from the batteries, the only casualty on shore being the 
killing of an Italian or Portuguese noncombatant. After the 
seventh shot the steamer kept shifting her position to destroy 
the accuracy of our fire, and after our twelfth shot she began 
working her way toward the channel, and soon thereafter was 
in full flight, making her way to the protection of the gulf under 
all the steam she could carry. The engagement lasted about half 
an hour. The South Carolina resumed her position outside the 
bar to prevent the ingress or egress of vessels. 

The Houston Telegraph said : "We learn that our friend 
Cave, of the Civilian, acted during the bombardment at Galves- 



320 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



ton on Saturday evening as volunteer aide to Colonel Moore, and 
bore his orders on horseback from battery to battery under fire 
of the enemy. He remained with Colonel Moore until the close 
of the firing. With the modesty that is so admirably character- 
istic of him, he passes over the part he bore in the affair alto- 
gether without notice in the minute account published by him 
in the Civilian." 

Under date of August 5th, the foreign consuls stationed at 
Galveston addressed a formal note of protest to Captain Alden, 
in which they said: ''The undersigned consuls and vice-consuls 
at Galveston consider it their duty to enter their solemn protest 
against your bombardment of this city on the evening of the 3d 
inst., without having given any notice so that the women and 
children might have been removed; and also against your firing 
a shell into the midst of a large crowd of unarmed citizens, 
among whom were many women and children, causing thereby 
the death of an unoffending Portuguese, and wounding boys and 
peacefully disposed persons, as acts of inhumanity unrecognized 
in modern warfare, and meriting the condemnation of Christian 
and civilized nations." The note was signed, among others, by 
Arthur Lynn, British consul, and the consuls for France, Spain, 
Belgium, Holland, Austria, and Prussia. 

In reply Alden claimed that he had been fired on first (a lame 
excuse, had it been true, as he had forced the fire), and, con- 
tinuing, said: "You protest against my firing a shell into a 
crowd of unarmed citizens, among whom were many women and 
children. Good God, gentlemen, do you think such an act was 
premeditated ? Besides, was it not the duty of the military com- 
mandant (who, by his act in the morning, had invited me to the 
contest) to see that all such were out of the way ? Did he not have 
all day to prepare? ... In conclusion, let me add that no 
one can regret the injury to unoffending citizens more than I do. 
Still I find no complaints of my acts . . . coming from 
military or civil authorities of Galveston, and with due deference 
to your consideration and humanity, I must respectfully remark 
that it is the first time I have ever heard that the women and 
children and unarmed citizens of our American towns were un- 
der the protection of foreign consuls." 

During the summer, Lieutenant Colonel Baylor conquered 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 321 



Arizona, capturing or expelling all the United States troops 
there. 

After consultation with friends, and some reflection on the 
matter, I determined to be a candidate for Governor at the en- 
suing August election. I wished to be the executive head of 
Texas, that I might support the Confederacy and assist in the 
vigorous prosecution of the war for independence. My experi- 
ence in canvassing for Lieutenant-Governor gave me an idea of 
public sentiment towards me, and I thought, as did some of my 
friends, that I could be elected. I believed I could make Texas 
a passably good Governor. I knew that if elected I would give 
to the people an honest, faithful administration; therefore, on 
the 18th of April, 1861, from my home on Sims' Bayou, Har- 
ris County, I issued an address to the voters of the State of 
Texas, announcing myself as a candidate for the office of Gov- 
ernor. In that address I said : 

"Since determining to be a candidate, I have learned that many 
citizens — numbering among them some of our most intelligent 
and patriotic men — have advised the calling of a nominating 
convention, ignoring all the former party issues, basing the pres- 
ent call entirely upon the great issue now being tried, of adhesion 
to the cause of Southern rights against those who may favor the 
idea of a reconstruction of the government. It is well known 
that I have ever been a States' Eights Democrat, without change 
or turning, and in favor of strict party organization. When, 
however, the great issue was to be met and fought between the 
true sons of the South and the Black Kepublicans of the North, 
I was willing and did drop all party lines, and touched elbows 
with all true men without regard to party differences. If, there- 
fore, a convention should be called at this time with a view to 
nominating candidates for State offices, I have no hesitation in 
saying that all who are known to be loyal and true to the present 
State and Confederate governments should be invited to partici- 
pate in its deliberations and actions, and I am free to say that if 
such a convention is determined upon and held by the people, I 
will most cheerfully bow to its behests, whether its action be fa- 
vorable to my present expectation or otherwise. Should you, my 
fellow citizens, call me to the position to which I aspire — al- 
though I may not be so presumptuous as to say I will discharge 
21 



322 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



the duties with ability — I will pledge myself to act as I have 
ever done in every place I have accepted, honestly, impartially, 
and faithfully, administering the government economically but 
vigorously, protecting our people everywhere over our broad 
State, and using every means to defend our fair land from the 
tread of the merciless and ruthless invader, even though it should 
cost millions of treasure and streams of blood." 

And it has been charged that the Southern people were led into 
secession by designing politicians. The charge is not true. On 
the contrary, the people themselves were the authors of and re- 
sponsible for the act, being impelled to it by a long train of 
causes of which it was not only a logical, but inevitable result. 
They urged prompt measures throughout the entire South. They 
took the lead and so impressed the public men and politicians 
with their determination to have the troubles between the South 
and the North settled by separation that the public men and 
politicians had to follow. Mr. Davis, an acknowledged leader, 
was opposed to the movement, and did not favor it until the peo- 
ple of his own State had seceded. 

The question of co-operation, that was, for one State to wait 
the action of the others, and then to confer before seceding, was 
voted down by the people; particularly was it overwhelmingly 
voted down in Texas. It will not be denied that Gen. Sam Hous- 
ton, then Governor of Texas, the ablest and most popular man in 
the State, supported in his views by many other able men, could 
not stem the current of popular sentiment, and they were com- 
pelled to yield to the decided and determined wishes of the 
masses. All such retired quietly to private life, or ignobly joined 
the ranks of those who insulted and made war upon their own 
State, or, taking a middle stand that any honorable man can 
appreciate, kept their allegiance to Texas and cheerfully ren- 
dered such assistance as they could. 

The people of the entire State were on the alert. Every man 
was awake to the importance of the crisis, and was discussing 
what was best to be done. Some proposed a nominating con- 
vention on the one vital issue of sustaining the action of the seces- 
sion convention in withdrawing Texas from the Union and of 
carrying on the war, then fully inaugurated. My competitors for 
Governor, Gen. T. J. Chambers and Gov. Ed. Clark, both Demo- 



LUBBOCK'S, MEMOIRS. 323 



crats and secessionists, were as fully committed on these ques- 
tions as myself. Hence it was merely the choice of the man to 
enforce the existing policy. 

The State Democratic convention met at Dallas May 27, 1861, 

at 1 p. m. 

Col. John M. Crockett, of Dallas, was elected temporary chair- 
man and Junius W. Smith, of Tarrant, W. H. Thomas, of Dal- 
las, W. J. Sparks, of Wood, were appointed secretaries. 

On calling the list of counties, the following responded : Col- 
lin, Coryell, Cherokee, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Grayson, Harrison, 
Hardin,^ Hopkins, Jasper, Lamar, Navarro, Parker, Palo Pinto, 
Eusk, Tarrant, Tyler, Marion, Wood, Wise, and Young. 

On motion of T. M. Likens, of Rusk, gentlemen present from 
counties unrepresented were invited to take seats in the convt^n- 
tion and participate in its debates. 

The following were appointed a committee on permanent or- 
ganization : M. D. Ector, Thos. J. Johnson, Ward Taylor, A. U. 
Wright, J. W. Angel, J. A. White, J. J. Howe, D. R. Wood, Geo. 
Wilson, J. L. Lovejoy, J. M. Hardeman, W. E. Sanders, P. Mur- 
rah, L.' Yates, B. F. Ross, L. T. Wheeler, J. W. Squyers; and the 
followdng a committee on credentials : J. W. Smith, A. W. Craw- 
ford, R. H. Cumby, B. F. Ross, and R. W. Lunday. 

In perfecting permanent organization, Maj. T. M. Likens was 
elected chairman ; Col. John M. Crockett and B. F. Ross, vice- 
presidents, and R. W. Lunday, W. J. Sparks, Junius W. Smith, 
and W. H. Thomas secretaries. 

The committee on credentials' report was adopted, and also the 
following resolution submitted by said committee: 

"That in all cases where counties are represented by duly ac- 
credited delegates, those delegates shall cast the entire vote to 
which such counties may be entitled, without reference to any 
proxies from said counties ; and that where counties are repre- 
sented solely by proxies, that the person or persons acting as 
proxies shall cast the entire vote to which said counties may be 
entitled." 

As there were but twenty-six counties represented, on motion 
of J. J. Howe, the convention adjourned sine die, it being 
"deemed unwise and impolitic to make any formal nominations 
for the offices of Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and Commis- 



324 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



sioner of the General Land Office." The other State officials 
were elected the year previous, 1860. 

Though the representation was too small to justify a nomina- 
tion for State officials, there were some quite distinguished men 
in attendance, such as J. M. Crockett, P. Murrah, S. B. Hen- 
dricks, Geo. B. Lipscomb, Jas. H. Jones, T. M. Likens, M. D, 
Ector, Malcolm D. Graham, and Dr. R. M. Gano. 

I expected the convention to fail for lack of a quorum, and 
consequently did not attend. Had the convention nominated a 
man for Governor, I would have cheerfully supported him. 

As there was no nomination made for Governor, it was a free- 
for-all race, the people to say who they wanted — Clark, Cham- 
bers, or Lubbock. We all pledged ourselves to support the war, 
and- there was nothing else discussed. 

Both Clark and Chambers made an active canvass. Having 
gone over the State so thoroughly two years before in my second 
contest for Liuetenant-Governor, I determined to do but little 
in that direction, and made very few speeches. Many good 
friends interested themselves in my behalf. E. H. Cushing, then 
of the Houston Telegraph, and Col. John Marshall, of the Aus- 
tin State Gazette, were notably my warm supporters. The race 
was a very close one between Governor Clark and myself. After 
the election returns were in, I wrote to the Secretary of State 
for the result. While not official, he informed me that I was 
certainly elected. This was made manifest when the soldier vote 
came in, for the soldier boys supported me enthusiastically. 

The Texans attracted so much attention by their soldierly 
conduct and intelligent action in the first battle of Manassas, 
Colonels Terry and Lubbock were asked if a regiment such as 
those who had taken part in the engagement could be raised in 
Texas for the Virginia army. The reply was, "Yes; ten such 
regiments, immediately, if desired." 

The result was that in a few days they left for Texas with 
authority from the secretary of war to raise a regiment for the 
Confederate army in Virginia, then commanded by Gen. Joe E. 
Johnston. 

When it was announced that Terry and Lubbock had authority 
to raise a regiment for Virginia, there was such a rush of com- 
panies that the quota was soon full, and many had to be rejected. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 325 



The rendezvous of the companies was at Houston, where they or- 
ganized, with B. F. Terry as colonel and T. S. Lubbock as lieu- 
tenant-colonel.*^ 

About the last of August preparations were made to march 
the regiment from Houston to New Iberia, La., in two divisions, 
and thence convey it by steamboat to New Orleans. Colonel 
Terry led the first division, or half of his command. Some of 
the men were mounted; a large number, however, left Houston 
afoot. I was glad that my neighbor, S. W. Allen, and myself felt 
able to provide quite a number of horses for their march. 

Having just been elected Governor, and deciding to visit Rich- 
mond to better inform myself of public affairs, I determined to 
accompany the Terry Eangers, known also as the Eighth Texas 
Cavalry. The trip was a very hard one, the entire country east- 
ward to the Mississippi being under water, in many places waist 
deep to the men and belly deep to the horses. It was particularly 
bad along part of the route to New Iberia. The men walking be- 
came so footsore and lame that they could not travel. 

Colonel Terry placed me at the head of a detail, consisting of 
two intelligent men, the Tate brothers, and requested me to go 
to the settlements and collect a train of wagons or carts, so that 
his footsore men could be moved on to New Iberia. After much 
hard riding, and with great difficulty, I secured a number of 
Louisiana carts, which very materially facilitated our advance. 

I left my valuable saddle horse, Gim Crack, at New Iberia in 
charge of the hotelkeeper till my return from Eichmond. This 
horse was a great favorite of mine, as I had raised him on my 
ranch and liked his qualities as a roadster. I feared when leav- 
ing him that I would not find him on my return. I did, however, 
and rode him back to Texas. On arriving at New Orleans, the 
rangers were quartered at the cotton press, and in a few days left 
for Virginia. In the meantime Gen. A. S. Johnston (command- 
ing the Confederate forces in Kentucky), who knew the officers 

*^The Telegraph of August 7th thus notes the return of Colonels 
Terry and Lubbock: "We had the pleasure of meeting our friends 
Terry and Lubbock this morning. . . . We welcome them back and 
glory in them as true and noble representatives of Texan character. 
They have authority to raise a regiment of rangers for service in Vir- 
ginia, and we doubt not that they will take such a regiment that will 
do glorious service to our cause in the war." 



326 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



and many of the men, had been negotiating with the Secretary of 
War to have the rangers assigned to him, arguing that he needed 
Just such troops as he knew them to be, and that he could have 
them properly armed and equipped in his department and put 
them into immediate service. 

His request was acceded to, and Colonel Terry on reaching Chat- 
tanooga received a dispatch ordering him to report to General 
Johnston in Kentucky. It was a bitter disappointment to all to 
be diverted from their original destination, but fortunately G-en- 
eral Johnston was well known by the officers and men, and 
they became resigned to the inevitable, and proceeded to this 
unexpected field of operations. The rangers at once began to 
prove themselves worthy of the confidence of General Johnston. 
No better soldiers ever drew battle-blade in freedom's cause than 
Terry's Texas Rangers. I bade the noble fellows a long farewell 
at Chattanooga. I never saw the hero Terry in life again. He 
fell a few months later while gallantly leading his regiment at 
the battle of Woodsonville, Ky. I continued my Journey to Rich- 
mond that I might confer with President Davis and learn from 
him how I, when installed as Governor, could best aid the Con- 
federacy. 

The bustle and excitement of military preparations was no- 
ticeable all along the route from Texas to Virginia. The people 
seemed entirely sure of success. 

On my arrival at Richmond I found the city astir with warlike 
preparations, soldiers and officers coming and going; companies 
marching and drilling, the air resonant with the blare of military 
music, and Confederate flags floating from public and private 
buildings. 

President Davis had gone to the front on army business, but 
I met him at the train on which he returned. Introducing my- 
self, without ceremony, and explaining the object of my visit, 
I received from him a most cordial greeting and welcome. 

The President imparted much information as to his plans of 
operation, and expressed himself fully as to the ways in which 
the Governors of the several States could strengthen the power 
and further the onward march of the Confederacy without im- 
pairing their rights or trenching on their sovereignty. 

His winning, unaffected manners impressed me very favorably. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 327 



and I bade him farewell with the thought (which I still hold) 
that he was pre-eminently fitted for the high position to which he 
had been called by the unanimous voice of the South. 

During my few days sojourn at the Confederate capital I spent 
the most of my time with the Fifth Texas regiment, at Camp 
Texas, in the vicinity, and especially with Captain Eogers' com- 
pany. I left Richmond October 6, 1861, for Texas. While 
steaming up the Teche to New Iberia, the boat with the remain- 
ing companies of the Eighth Texas passed up, my brother, Lieut. - 
Col. Tom Lubbock being in command. We r€cognized each other 
and signaled a farewell, I going to Texas to my duties as Gov- 
ernor, and he, as a soldier, to meet the invaders at the threshold 
of our Southland. 

That was our last greeting on earth. 

The Houston Telegraph, in speaking of my return, said : 

"We were made glad yesterday by the appearance in our sanc- 
tum of the pleasant countenance of our friend, Hon. F. E. Lub- 
bock, Governor-elect of the State, after an absence of some weeks, 
ranging about in the other States of the Confederacy. He is in 
first-rate health, and looks every inch the popular Governor he 
is bound to be. He sat down and told us all he saw while he was 
gone, and, of course, we will tell the people all we have a right 
to repeat. 

"He was at Richmond some days, and left the camps of the 
Texas troops at 12 o'clock on the night of the 5th. He says the 
troops are generally well. The officers of the two regiments have 
been appointed, and were, for the most part, satisfactory, though 
many would have preferred all the appointments had been made 
in Texas. 

"The last two companies of the Fifth regiment had arrived, 
making the full twenty companies. The Fourth regiment was 
under marching orders for Western Virginia. The Fifth was in 
daily expectation of orders. 

"From conversation with those high in authority, Mr. Lub- 
bock is satisfied that the views of the government are to protect 
the southern coast by pressing the war home upon the enemy on 
the border. He is also satisfied that a great battle may take place 
any day. The city of Washington is pretty much shut up, and 



328 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS, 



McClellan must soon either fight or starve. President Davis is 
improving in health, and looks perfectly well. 

"Judge Keagan, our Postmaster-General, has been a good deal 
abused. We have complained a little ourself. But Governor 
Lubbock says that no man works harder than Judge Eeagan, and 
he believes he will do what is right as far as it is made known to 
him. 

"Terry and Lubbock's regiment were being provided with 
horses and equipments in Nashville. It will be the best mounted 
regiment in the service." 

When I reached home I began at once to get ready for my 
inauguration as Governor. 

It was not without sincere regret at the thought of leaving, 
even temporarily, our pleasant home in the country, that Mrs. 
Lubbock and I began preparations in the latter part of October 
for departure to the State capital. The ranch and negroes were 
left in charge of our stock-keeper. The ranch consisted of 1300 
acres, about 100 of which were under cultivation. The natural 
increase of my herds at this time was about 100 colts and 2000 
calves annually. Our residence was left in the special care of 
our neighbor, Mrs. Briscoe. 

We traveled by rail fifty miles to Hempstead, the terminus of 
the Central road, and thence by dirt road to Bastrop, myself and 
family riding in a comfortable close carriage I had purchased 
in Galveston, and the servants in a good spring wagon, which 
also contained a bountiful store of groceries and other supplies. 

We spent a few days with my brother, John B. Lubbock, and 
our friend C. K. Hall, at Bastrop. Here I learned that there 
was some complication in the returns and there was a doubt as 
to my election. At the suggestion of my intelligent and ever 
prudent wife, who stated that it would be highly mortifying for 
us to continue on to Austin in the manner we had traveled to 
Bastrop, and then learn that one of my opponents had been 
elected Governor, I left her at my brother's and went on to the 
capital alone to acquaint myself with the true status of affairs. 
There I found that I had been elected, but by so small a majority 
that I determined to remain at Bastrop until the count was made 
and the result declared by the Legislature. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 329 



CHAPTER NINETEEN. 

Lubbock's Administration — Inauguration and Address — Some Appoin- 
tees — Message Extracts — Personnel of the Ninth Legislature — His- 
toric Buildings— General Hebert and Coast Operations — My "Burn- 
ing" Letter — My Veto Message — Texan Forces in the Field and 
Noted Texas Rangers. 

The Ninth Legislature met on the 4th day of November, 1861, 
and each house, a quorum being present, perfected organiza- 
tion.*^ 

The next day both houses met in joint session in the hall of 
representatives to count the votes and announce the result.*^ 

*^ The following were the officers of the Senate: 

Lieutenant-Governor J. M. Crockett, president; P. De Cordova, sec- 
retary; A. W. Steel, first assistant secretary; George W. Breeding, sec- 
ond assistant secretary; J. Q. St. Clair, engrossing clerk; F. Everett, 
enrolling clerk; D. C. Burleson, sergeant-at-arms; J. W. Murphy, door- 
keeper; and William Smith, chaplain. 

The following were the officers of the House: 

C. W. Buckley, speaker; W. L. Chalmers, chief clerk; W. W. Chal- 
mers, assistant clerk; John L. Garrison, engrossing clerk; E M. Bacon, 
enrolling clerk; William N. Henderson, sergeant-at-arms; J. Mann, as- 
sistant sergeant-at-arms; and John L. Lovejoy, doorkeeper. 

*' The votes cast for the various candidates at the election held Au- 
gust 5, 1861, were as follows: For Governor: F. R Lubbock, 21,854; 
T. J. Chambers, 13,759; Edward Clark, 21,730; scattering. 85, For 
Lieutenant Governor: John M. Crockett, 38,321; F. F. Foscue, 12,160; 
scattering, 2510. For Commissioner of the General Land Office: S. 
Crosby, 35,689; John Henry Brown, 9492; G. W. Vanvleck. 4027: H. J. 
Jones, 1630; scattering, 429. 

Besides the above an election was held November 6th for members of 
the Confederate Congress, with the following results: First district: 
John A. Wilcox, 3448; E. R. Hord, 2470; and W. H. Stewart, 1409 
votes. Second district: C. C. Herbert, 2479; Fred Tate, 2034; A. M. 
Lewis, 1367; and F. W. Chandler. 633 votes. Third district: Peter W. 
Gray, 4952; A. P. Wiley, 1673; William R. Reagan, 21; and scattering, 
5 votes. Fourth district: F. B. Sexton, 1644: J. L. Hogg, 1062; J. N. 
Maxcy, 1053; T. J. Word, 926; A. W. O. Hicks, 350; and W. R. Poag, 
100 votes. Fifth district: M. D. Graham, 2946; R. B. Hubbard, 2686; 
and scattering, 46 votes. Sixth district: W. B. Wright, 3444; B. H. 
Epperson 2777; T. R. Rogers. 537; R. H. Ward, 256; and scattering, 
1 vote. 



330 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



It was declared in due form, that F. E. Lubbock, having re- 
ceived a majority of the votes, was the Governor-elect. 

When the official announcement of my election reached us at 
BastroiJ, we started at once for Austin. Our road led up the 
west side of the Colorado to Webberville, and thence on the east 
side through the prairies to the capital. 




GOV. F. R. LUBBOCK AND MRS. ADELE BARON LUBBOCK. 



Arriving at Austin, we went to the executive mansion, which 
had been made ready for our occupancy. We brought with us 
excellent servants : the boys, Washington and Eli, about grown, 
expert in the care of horses and outdoor work, and two girls 
trained by Mrs. Lubbock in the culinary art and as housemaids. 
Besides my saddle horse, Gim Crack, I had a pair of spotted 
Morgan horses, and a pair of elegant sorrels. 

In the closing message of his official term. Governor Clark 
said: 

"The most general of the army difficulties was the fact that 
the troops were, to a great extent, required to be infantry. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 331 



"No practical means have been left untried to form into mili- 
tary companies all the able-bodied men in Texas. The chief ob- 
jection to enlistment was the repugnance to infantry service. 
The predilections of Texans for cavalry service, founded as it is 
upon their peerless horsemanship, is so powerful thai they are 
unwilling in many instances to engage in service of any other 
description. . . . 

"Another serious obstacle has been the want of legislative 
authority and of the material resources for placing volunteers 
in organized and effective condition. , . . 

"The last serious obstacle to the military operations of the 
State ... is the fact that the previous Legislature did not 
have a full appreciation of the greatness of the conflict upon the 
threshold of which we then stood. 

"We could all see a triumphant and majestic confederacy of 
States in the vista of the not distant future ; but all did not real- 
ize a sense of the trial and struggle through which we were to 
pass before it could be firmly established. . . . 

"Twenty thousand Texans are now battling for the rights of 
our new-born but gigantic government. They are waiting to win 
fresh laurels in heroic old Virginia. They are ready to aid in 
lifting the yoke from Kentucky's prostrate neck, and -are mar- 
shaled in defense of the sovereignty of Missouri. They have 
covered themselves with glory on the plains of New Mexico, and 
are formed in a cordon of safety around the border of our great 
State. 

"If such positive results have sprung from the spontaneous 
action of the people, what may we hope will not be accomplished 
when the entire latent forces of the State are shaped into sys- 
tem and efficiency. The realities of the great war in which we 
are engaged will require the exercise of all your financial ability, 
all your military skill and devotion to the public welfare. I am 
confident that you will display all these qualities and at the same 
time that you will rely unwaveringly upon 'Him who doeth all 
things well." The fruits of your labors, I trust, will soon be 
peaceful independence and a prosperous State, and Texas . . . 
strengthened in the power to aid in the establishment of a gen- 
eral government." 



332 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



I had scarcely time to examine my future official residence 
before I was called to the capitol for installation. This ceremony 
occurred in the hall of representatives, in the presence of both 
houses of the Legislature and a large assemblage of citizens, 
and, with attendant incidents, is thus described by the '^tate, Ga- 
zette of November 9, 1861 : 

"Thursday (November 7th) was spent mostly upon the in- 
auguration and its ceremonies. 

"At a quarter to 12 m. both houses met in joint session, an 
immense concourse of people present. At 13 m. the Governor 
and Lieutenant-Governor elect, and the supreme judges were 
escorted into the hall by a committee of the houses. Governor 
Clark delivered a brief valedictory address, conceived to be in 
good taste and delivered with some apparent embarrassment. 

"Governor Lubbock then took the oath, administered by Chief 
Justice Wheeler, and read, in his earnest and emphatic manner, 
his inaugural, which was frequently interrupted by cheers and 
other manifestations of approval. 

"Lieutenant-Governor Crockett then took the oath, adminis- 
tered by Chief Justice Wheeler, and delivered his address." 

My inaugural address was as follows: 
"Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Eepresentatives, ladies, 

and gentlemen : 

"The time designated by the Constitution that you, gentlemen 
of the Senate and House of Representatives, shall meet and en- 
ter upon the important duties assigned to you having arrived, 
permit me to congratulate you that you are here assembled to- 
day for that purpose, in a free land, untrammeled and unawed 
by the mercenaries of despotism. Let me congratulate you, fel- 
low citizens, that while some of our sister States have been and 
are now being invaded, the soil of our beloved State is free from 
the presence of our enemies, except such as are prisoners in the 
hands of our brave soldiers. 

"A generous and coniiding people, by their suffrages, have 
called me to the executive chair of a great and sovereign State, 
a member of the proud and powerful Confederacy. 

"I feel deeply conscious of the great responsibilities attaching 
to the position at this important crisis. Much has already been 
done by the retiring executive to place Texas side by side with 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 333 



her sister States in the present struggle ; but, gentlemen, it must 
be borne in mind that we have as yet but seen the beginning, and 
I am resolved, with your aid and support, so long as I occupy the 
position confided to me by the people, that her footsteps in the 
career of honor and patriotism shall be onward, and the precious 
interests intrusted to my keeping be rendered back at the proper 
time uninjured and untarnished. 

"It is useless at this time, gentlemen, to discuss the causes 
which have led to the present state of affairs The history of our 
wrongs is a long and bitter one, and has been so often discussed 
and reviewed by the great minds of the country that it has be- 
come familiar to you all. You, together with a large majority 
of our fellow citizens, have long decided that grievances to such 
an extent existed as to warrant separation from those ^-ith whom 
for so long a period we had been politically connected. That 
separation was consummated by us after mature reflection, in 
view of all the attendant dangers and difficulties. Many had 
hoped that we would have been permitted to depart in peace, 
and that those with whom we could no longer live in brotherhood 
would at least allow us to retire from a copartnership that had 
become onerous and oppressive, and take with us our institution 
that had become so hateful to them. This fond hope was not to 
be realized. Those who had heretofore professed friendship for 
us and a willingness to stand by our constitutional guarantees, 
became our most vindictive foes, vicing with abolitionists who 
should be first in the field for our subjugation. 

"The war was inaugurated by our enemies, and our once peace- 
ful and happy land is now the scene of this inhuman struggle. 

"The Lincoln government vainl}' boasted the base and hire- 
ling soldiery would overrun and subjugate the South in sixty 
days. Eight months have passed away, and we find this wicked 
and boastful government, after warring for that length of time 
against a power not half their equal in numbers, forced to pur- 
sue on every line of military operations a defensive policy ; their 
armies defeated on every battlefield, and their hireling soldiers 
panic-stricken before our army of citizens. 

"In all this, a kind Providence has hovered near our armies, 
giving us victory after victory over our enemies. 

"In portions of our country, heretofore subject to casualties 



334 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



that have caused the earth to fail in the productions, genial show- 
ers have fallen upon the land ; abundance has been given to us ; 
our granaries are filled; plenty prevails in our midst, and the 
people feel that the great God who presides over the destinies of 
nations and 'sits on the throne judging right/ is on our side and 
will bless us in this struggle. 

"Thus far our efforts have been crowned with success. Let 
all praise be given to our gallant soldiers, who have defended 
the integrity of our soil. 

"It has been said, gentlemen, that this is a war for slavery. I 
tell you it is a wax for liberty ! Upon the issue of this war must 
depend our status in all time to come. We must either maintain 
our liberties by our strong arms and stout hearts, or we must 
consent to become the most abject slaves of the basest, most cor- 
rupt, and vulgar despotism that ever clutched in its unhallowed 
grasp the liberties of a free people. 

"I know, gentlemen, that in your hearts you have already de- 
termined that this war must be carried on with promptness and 
vigor to ultimate success. 

"I call upon you, therefore, in the name of patriotism, honor, 
and all that you hold most dear, to devise and carry out such 
wise and efficient measures as will strengthen the arm of the 
Confederate States and aid them in speedily achieving for us 
our independence, pledging to you my most cordial approval and 
co-operation in every such measure. 

"I trust you will see that those gallant men who have served 
the State well and faithfully be fully provided for, and that no 
Texan soldier shall charge his State with ingratitude. They de- 
serve well of their country. They have and will continue to sus- 
tain the reputation of their State as the home of a chivalrous and 
warlike people. 

"Gentlemen, to the ladies of our country we owe much. In 
our trials and troubles they, too, have been with us. To prepare 
comforts for the soldiers, their busy needles have been plied in- 
cessantly ; their smiles, their tears, and their prayers accompany 
the soldiers to the battlefield. They yield up to the cause of their 
country, right bravely, husbands, brothers, sons, and lovers. They 
give up ease, luxury, and elegance for the soldiers' benefit. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 335 



"Can a people, thus supported and encouraged, be subdued by 
the base Hessians of a corrupt and fanatical government ? ISTo ! 
Never, while one bold heart is left to combat ! 

"Gentlemen, I am pleased to know that at the head of the gov- 
ernment of the Confederate States we have men of ability, in- 
tegrity, and patriotism; and while I have every confidence and 
feel satisfied that they are doing everything in their power to 
secure our liberties and chastise our insolent and remorseless 
foe, it is, nevertheless, our duty to see that our State is put in an 
attitude of self-defense, from the seaboard to the hills, and our 
soil defended against the polluting tread of abolition hordes. 
Our frontier must be guarded, at every cost, against the ruthless 
Indian foe ; the lives of our men, women, and children preserved 
from the tomahawk and scalping knife. 

"Texas must pay punctually to the Confederate government 
her portion of the war tax. I have no fears but that our people 
will promptly respond to this sacred call of patriotism, and, in 
addition, cheerfully meet such taxation as may be necessary to 
carry on our State government with efficiency. 

"I trust that every citizen will feel that he must perform his 
part in the great struggle now going on, that prudence and econ- 
omy will enter into the administration of every department of 
government, and that every public servant will look well to the 
welfare of the country. 

"Let me say, in conclusion, that I am here in accordance with 
the wishes of the people ; that I bring with me to the capital the 
kindest feelings towards all good men, having no prejudices 
against this party or that party, this man or that man. I come 
here determined, as far as in my power lies, to see that the laws 
are enforced impartially and to carry on the State government 
for the benefit of the people, with honesty and economy. 

"I enter upon the discharge of my duties free and untram- 
meled, bound by no pledges other than to a faithful performance 
of every trust confided in me. 

"I trust every citizen in this broad land will see the necessity 
of lending his aid in sustaining the glorious cause in which we 
are now engaged, that of securing to millions yet unborn the 
right of self-government. 

"Let us all stand upon the Constitution that has been adopted 



336 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



by our people, presenting one unbroken front to tyranny in every 
shape it may present itself, with the determination never to place 
our liberties in the keeping of the dastard foe that now seeks to 
conquer us. 

"I hope, gentlemen, that your session will prove harmonious, 
and that your every act will redound to your praise and the good 
of our country. For the present I have done ; at a future day I 
will take pleasure in giving you my views more in detail. 

"Ladies, for your attention, I thank you, and from my heart 
say — God bless you."** 

I selected for my private secretary Wm. M. Walton, a bright 
young lawyer at that time, later Attorney-General of the State, 
and to-day one of the acknowledged leaders of the Texas bar. 
After serving as my private secretary a few months, he resigned 
the position, raised a company for the Confederate army, and 
joined Carter's regiment at Hempstead. 

James Paul, a Texan citizen of English birth, an excellent 
gentleman, then living at Castroville, succeeded Mr. Walton. 
Owing to physical infirmity he was incapacitated for military 
service, and remained with me during my term of office. 

Mr. C. S. West, a promising lawyer, who after the war became 
a member of the State Supreme Court, was my Secretary of 
State. He, too, soon caught the war fever and enrolled himself 
in the army. His successor as Secretary of State was the Hon. 
R. J. Towns, a retired district judge of fine abilities. 

**The following are two of the many favorable comments which 
Gfovernor Lubbock's inaugural evoked from the press of the State, a 
mirror that then reflected in truthful outlines and just proportions the 
sentiments of the people. — Ed. 

"In every line of Governor Lubbock's address will be recognized the 
frank earnestness of the man and his hearty sympathies with the people 
over whose interests he is called to preside. He made his appearance 
in the representative chamber clothed in homespun, and seemed, in- 
deed, the people's choice. 

" He expressed a determination to make every exertion to place the 
State iu a defensible position, from the seaboard to the mountains. Un- 
less we are much mistaken in the man, Frank Lubbock will redeem this 
pledge and carry out his expressed determination to its fullest extent." 
State Oazette. 

" The inaugural address of Governor Lubbock is a document worthy 
of the head and heart of a patriot." — Texas Republican. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 337 



To the position of Adjutant-General, at that time a most re- 
sponsible office, I appointed J. T. Dashiell, of San Antonio, an 
accomplished officer of large experience. To him I was greatly 
indebted for whatever success I achieved in the management of 
military affairs. 

These appointments gave general satisfaction, and justly, too, 
as time demonstrated. 

With entire confidence in my chosen associates, I entered 
cheerfully upon my duties. 

In my opinion the first essential was to put Texas in a 
thoroughly defensible condition, and to that purpose I subor- 
dinated all others for the time being, and bent every energy to 
the task until it was accomplished. 

My views on this subject were outlined in my inaugural ad- 
dress, and were given more in detail in my first message to the 
Ninth Legislature. 

The greatest immediate danger that we apprehended was from 
Indian hostilities. 

In my message I said : "Our Indian troubles should occupy 
your attention. Since the withdrawal of Texas from the govern- 
ment of the United States, and the adoption of the system by the 
Confederate States of defending the frontier by regiments of 
mounted men, comparative quiet in that quarter has prevailed. 
It is, however, now no infrequent occurrence to hear of murders 
being committed and property stolen by our Indian enemies. 

"I am very loth at this time to express any dissatisfaction at 
what the Confederate States is attempting in the way of defend- 
ing and protecting our frontier, knowing as I do that its every 
desire is to accomplish good for our confederacy. Yet I must say 
that I have no faith in the policy heretofore pursued with what 
are called reserve Indians. If the government is settled in its 
policy to retain these Indians on reserves for the purpose of pro- 
tecting, civilizing, and supporting them, they should be confined 
strictly to the territory provided for them. I most respectfully 
suggest that you adopt some system for frontier protection best 
suited to our situation and the requirements of the country, and 
urge its immediate adoption, through our members of Congress, 
by the government of the Confederate States. Under the exist- 



22 



338 LUBBOCICS MEMOIRS. 



ing state of the country, in case of an invasion we must rely al- 
most entirely on the militia of the State." 

In regard to the defense of our seacoast and the procurement 
of heavy guns for that purpose, I said : 

"In connection with the subject of public defense, I call the 
attention of your honorable body to the exposed condition of our 
gulf coast ; and, while I feel confident that the government of the 
Confederate States will use every exertion for the defense of our 
coast, yet it is certain, without the heavy guns necessary for that 
object, but comparatively little can be done. The recent experi- 
ment made to forward cannon from the State of Louisiana 
demonstrates that we will have to rely exclusively on such heavy 
ordnance as may be now in the State, or such as can be made 
within its limits. We have among us many citizens who under- 
stand the manufacture of cannon and of small arms, and we also 
have quite a number of foundries. We have in Cass and Bowie 
counties, and, it is believed in other locations, iron of a quality 
well adapted to the purpose, and steps should be taken for the 
encouragement of the manufacture of these weapons, indispens- 
able to our defense. Legislation providing for the manufacture 
of these arms is necessary. Contracts might be made for that 
purpose. If deemed best, a State foundry might be established 
at some suitable point." 

In reference to the financial condition of the State, I said : 

"The State, heretofore resting in that security which charac- 
terizes all powerful governments in times of profound peace, 
with no prospect of war, has, in pursuance of a generous and 
liberal policy, appropriated her large means to purposes of edu- 
cation, internal improvements, and other objects of general use- 
fulness ; in consequence of which, you find at this time, when a 
full treasury is so much needed, the State government abso- 
lutely without a dollar subject to appropriation for the purpose 
of carrying on civil affairs or placing the State in a condition of 
security against the invasion of the enemy. 

"It will require your deepest wisdom and most patient exer- 
tion to sustain your State in the present crisis, because, gentle- 
men, it devolves on you not only to provide the means for the 
support of the civil government and to pay her outstanding mili- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 339 



tary debt, but also to devise and adopt such measures as will 
enable Texas to perform her duty toward the government of the 
Confederate States, and thus, to the extent of her ability, enable 
those in authority to conduct the war with vigor and prosecute it 
to a successful termination. ... 

"By an act of the Confederate States Congress, that govern- 
ment assumes to pay all debts incurred by the several States in- 
cident to their secession from the government of the United 
States. Texas, one of the seceding States, will have a large claim 
against the Confederate government under that law. Prudence 
demands that you adopt such measures as will speedily collect the 
testimony necessary to establish our claim, in order that it may 
be promptly examined and audited by the government." 

The public printer appointed having failed to give bond, and 
there being, consequently, no person then authorized to do the 
public printing, I recommended that the law relating to the sub- 
ject be so amended as to thereafter require persons bidding to 
file bonds with their bids. 

The institutions for the insane, blind, and deaf and dumb 
were recommended to the consideration of the Legislature, and 
all necessary legislation for their benefit invoked. 

The law under which the school fund was loaned to certain 
railroad companies required that the roads borrowing any por- 
tion of it should be sold if payment was not made at the matur- 
ity of their paper. The following was recommended : 

"It is a matter of paramount importance that the school fund 
should be secure and be devoted eventually to the sacred purpose 
for which it was designed by the wise foresight of the framers 
of the Constitution. Yet, owing to the many disadvantages that 
would result from the purchase by the State of the property 
mortgaged by the railroad companies, it would be well for the 
Legislature to consider the propriety of extending some relief to 
these companies. Should it be deemed advisable that the time 
be extended, it will be for the wisdom of your honorable body to 
devise a mode by which the prior lien of the State on these roada 
will not be in any way prejudiced, the school fund protected, and 
our system of internal improvements perfected. Should such a 
measure be devised, it would not only prevent the consequences 



340 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



which would follow under the law from the sale contemplated by 
it, but result in great public good."*^ 

I recommended to the Legislature to confine their attention to 
matters of general interest and to the enactment of laws of press- 
ing necessity, saying : "That every endeavor will be made by you 
to bear the standard of Texas aloft, that you will struggle by 
every means in your power to strengthen the arms of the Con- 
federate States, I feel fully satisfied." 

After assuring them that I would heartily co-operate in the 

*^ These are some of the press comments: 

"In perusing it [Governor Lubbock's message] the reader will be 
struck with the simplicity, frankness, decisiveness, which characterize 
the whole document. As might have been expected from Frank Lub- 
bock, he says plainly what he has to say — goes straight to the point and 
leaves no room for misconstruction or misapprehension of meaning." — 
Telegraph. 

The Telegraph, however, failed to endorse the Governor's recom- 
mendation that Confederate States treasury notes be made receivable 
for State dues — that is, that those notes be made Confederate legal ten- 
der. It is hard to see how Texas, as a Confederate State, could have 
done otherwise than take the course recommended by the Governor.— 
Ed. 

"Zeno, " the Austin correspondent of the Telegraph, wrote of the 
message: 

" It is an able document, and it will meet with the approval of all 
who read it. A thousand copies were ordered to be printed in the 
House, and five hundred in the Senate. Among other things, he recom- 
mends that the outstanding debt of the State be made receivable for 
taxes and public dues, and relief to our railroad companies." 

" We need not say that we underwrite every word it contains. We 
have told the people many a time and oft of what stuff Frank Lubbock 
was made, and they will find it out before his term of office expires."— 
San Antonio Herald. 

"Since the inauguration of Governor Lubbock we have spent much 
time in Austin, and have had ample opportunity to make his acquaint- 
ance, and to observe and admire his official course. He is no ordinary 
man. Frank, open, and courteous in his manners, he is firm, unflinch- 
ing, and just in the discharge of his official duties. His kindly disposi- 
tion and impulses are controlled by a lofty patriotism that never yields 
to personal friendship or favoritism; but in all things he is controlled 
by a sense of his public duties and by what he conceives to be the inter- 
est of his country. As an orator he has been considered showy; he is 
also earnest and profound. The people of Texas have indeed been for- 
tunate in selecting such an executive at such a juncture." — Telegraph. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 341 



perfection of every measure tending to the promotion of the gen- 
eral welfare, I said, by way of conclusion : "Let us do our duty, 
and, with the aid of an all-wise and all-seeing Providence, our 
country will emerge from this unholy war with a fame world- 
wide and her honor untarnished." 

The Ninth Legislature was an able and patriotic body, includ- 
ing among its members such men as S. B. Maxey, Pryor Lea, 
Eobert H. Guinn, A. M. Branch, Geo. B. Erath, Geo. P. Finlay, 
Chauncey B. Shepard, Stephen H. Darden, and N". G. Shelley in 
the Senate,- and N". H. Abney, Horace Cone, N. H. Darnell, H. 
M. Edmore, K. T. Flewellen,V. E. Goodrich, K. M. Gano, A. M. 
Hobby, S. A. Maverick, A. Navarro, A. H. Rippetoe, Chas. Rus- 
sell, J. A. Stachely, W. A. Wortham, and Frank Williams in the 
House. 

They came together with a fixed purpose to sustain the Con- 
federate government in every movement calculated to insure suc- 
cess. With this feeling, they began at once the good work of 
putting Texas in the proper posture of defense.**' 

Of the historic buildings dating back to the Republic then 
standing in Austin were the following: The president's house, 
a two-story frame, painted white, erected on the site of the pres- 
ent St. Mary's Academy, only occupied by Lamar (though it was 

*® "Zeno, " correspondent of the Telegraph, thus spoke of the Legis- 
lature in the columns of his paper: 

"Judge Buckley presides with great dignity, and is an efficient 
speaker. The House and the Senate are characterized by quietness and 
good order. Austin is as quiet as if the Legislature was not in session. 
The lobbies of the two houses are empty, and there are very few ' look- 
ers on in Venice;' no money to lavish this session, and no hangers on 
for the ' loaves and fishes. ' . . . There is no telling how long the 
Legislature may be in session; perhaps until Christmas. One thing is 
certain, the members are all desirous of getting away as soon as pos- 
sible; not, however, until all shall be done which the exigencies of the 
times demand. . . . The people of this section are better off than 
they have been for years — abundant crops, the whole country alive with 
hogs, sales of beef, continually a demand for wool — indeed, everything 
seems to have gone well with the people. ' ' 

"The strictest economy," says "Quill," a correspondent, "is prac- 
ticed by the members. The contingent expenses . . . will fall 
many thousands of dollars below the ordinary expenditures of a session. 
It is a healthy feature. It is a practical recognition of war times. The 
people will applaud." 



342 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



the executive mansion), Austin having been abandoned as the 
capital from 1843 to 1846; the residence of M. de Salign}^, the 
French embassy, an elegant one-story frame, painted white, now 
owned and occupied by Mrs. Robinson ; and the old capitol (the 
first ever built by Texas), a one-story frame, facing the avenue, 
on the site of the present city hall, with two large rooms, sepa- 
rated by a wide corridor, with open gallery in front and shed 
rooms in rear for offices — the north room Avas the Senate cham- 
ber, and the south the chamber for the representatives. 

The most elegant of the public buildings then in use was the 
new capitol, erected on the reserved ground at the head of Con- 
gress Avenue, and said to be of the Ionic order of architecture. 
It was two stories in height, and constructed of an oolite of a 
soft white color. In the second story were the chambers, with 
galleries, for the two houses, the Supreme Court room, and the 
apartment for the State library. Its cost, including furniture, 
was estimated at $150,000. This building was destroyed by fire 
in November, 1881, and its former place is now occupied by our 
magnificent granite capitol. 

To the west, and in the rear of the capitol, was a one-story 
building, constructed of rough stone and containing six rooms, 
occupied by the Department of State, and formerly occupied by 
the General Land Office. 

To the east, and in the rear of the capitol, stood the treasury 
building, a two-story edifice, with strong vaults in the basement, 
and containing twelve rooms. Besides the treasury, it was occu- 
pied by the offices of the Auditor and Comptroller. 

The General Land Office building was the same that still 
stands in the southeast corner of the capitol inclosure and is now 
used for that purpose — built of hard limestone and two stories in 
height, and containing fifteen rooms. 

All these last mentioned public buildings erected by the State 
were paid for, as has been before stated, out of the Santa Fe 
fund. 

The executive mansion was in the center of an acre (more or 
less) reservation, just west of the block at the head of Congress 
Avenue, and very near the southwest corner of the capitol square. 
It was a two-story brick edifice having a portico along its whole 
front, with six Ionic columns. On the premises were the usual 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 343 



outbuildings, including carriage house and stables, which we 
found very convenient, and there was an abundant supply of 
good water from a cistern and a well. The grounds were enclosed 
with a neat wooden paling. 

We had plenty of room for comfortable living and entertain- 
ment of guests. The mansion, though plain enough in this age 
of architectural extravagance in public buildings, was then the 
finest residence in Austin, excepting only the dwellings of J. H. 
Raymond and ex-Governor Pease. All three of these buildings 
yet remain in a good state of preservation. The mansion, without 
undergoing any essential change, has been successively occupied 
as a residence by all our Governors from Pease to Sayers in- 
clusive. Together with the old land office building, it remains 
as a notable souvenir of the earlier days of the State. This is the 
first and last executive mansion built by the State; the Presi- 
dent's house, on the east side of the avenue, was the work of the 
Republic. 

At an early day we had a levee for the Legislature, and all citi- 
zens were invited. It was a jam, and everything was served in 
profusion.*^ We never dined alone, invariably having from two 
to a dozen members with us, so that during the session every 
senator and representative had been to our table once or oftener. 

Although we were then in the war, provisions were plentiful 
and cheap, as was horse feed. I may mention, for instance, that 
turkeys during that winter could be had all the while at 50 cents 
each; barley, most excellent horse feed, at 20 to 25 cents per 
bushel. 

Our house was always open to visitors, and the young ladies, 
with a cripple beau, and sometimes with an old man unfit for 
military service, would come to the mansion quite late at night, 
giving us good music and singing. I have left my bed to enter- 
tain them, as I enjoyed their coming. 

We made the Governor's mansion a cheerful, bright home, and 
we loved to have our friends enjoy it with us during the few 
hours I could spare from public duties. 

*' Says the Telegraph of November 27, 1861: "The Governor gave a 
levee last night. The mansion was crowded. The young and the old 
enjoyed themselves. The beau.x and belles danced. The old people 
talked and walked." 



344 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



As to my private business, I had put all that aside. I had 
proper men to look after my ranch and other matters, so I gave 
myself little concern about them, enabling me to devote my whole 
time to the people's afiEairs. Although frequently at Houston, 
with my ranch and farm only six miles distant from that place, 
I did not see them until the close of the war. Our house I never 
saw again, for it was accidentally burned, with everything it con- 
tained, while we were in Austin. My loss amounted to fully 
$10,000, as there was nothing insured. 

Brig.-Gen. Paul 0. Hebert was at this time the Confederate 
military commander over Texas, with headquarters temporarily 
at Galveston. 

Hebert was a rich Louisianian, of fine family, and a fellow- 
graduate at West Point with Sherman and Thomas. He had 
been brevet ted colonel for gallantry at Cerro Gordo, and had 
achieved some distinction as an engineer in the public works on 
the Mississippi. While Governor of Louisiana, Hebert had ap- 
pointed Sherman president of the State military institute at 
Alexandria. Sherman appears then to have been a fire-eating 
Democrat, ready to die, if need be, for the South. 

General Hebert was now strong and vigorous and apparently 
about 45 years old. He was a good engineer, and, perhaps, that 
was the reason of his appointment to command in Texas, as our 
gulf coast needed proper defenses. 

In the fall of 1861 Commander W. W. Hunter, of the Con- 
federate navy, was ordered to Texas to serve as superintendent of 
coast defenses, under General Hebert. He proceeded to make 
an elaborate survey of the waters of Galveston Bay, which was 
of great service in our subsequent military operations. Hunter 
was a gallant officer, whose scientific knowledge and zeal con- 
tributed much to our success in that quarter. 

Pending proper war legislation I studied the military situa- 
tion. 

Learning that only one regiment (Colonel Ford's) occupied 
the lower Eio Grande region, and apprehending invasion from 
that direction, I proposed to reserve its military strength for its 
own defense. 

I wrote at once to General Hebert, at Galveston, expressing 
my lively apprehensions for the security of the country on the 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 345 



lower Eio Grande, and suggesting that it would be best for the 
Confederate government to decline to receive into its service anj^ 
more troops from that portion of the State lying west of the 
Colorado Eiver, other than those joining Luckett's, Garland's, 
and Terrell's regiments, and such companies as might be sta- 
tioned in that district of country for its defense. Having advised 
him thus, I concluded by saying : "I am ever ready to place at 
the disposal of the Confederate government all the resources of 
the State for the preservation of its soil from the polluting tread 
of a ruthless invader. And my ardent desire to witness the 
timely concentration of an adequate force for the protection of 
the lower Rio Grande, a region of country now of vital interest, 
has induced this communication." 

A little while before this. General Hebert thus complained to 
the Secretary of War : "To tell you how totally unprepared, con- 
fused, and defenseless I found this department, . . . the 
difficulties, . . . from lack of means, guns, arms, ammuni- 
tion, and a proper military organization, would be tedious. 
As an engineer, I can but too well appreciate the de- 
fenseless state of the seacoast, see plainly what is needed gener- 
ally, but, of course, can only deplore my inability to remedy the 
evil. I much fear that I have brought my little military reputa- 
tion to an early grave.'' 

It is needless to say that these forebodings were soon realized. 

The night after my inauguration. Lieutenant Jouett, of the 
United States blockading vessel Santee, captured and set fire to 
the Royal Yacht, a Confederate vessel, in Galveston harbor.*^ 

*8 On November 7th it was determined by Captain Eagle, of the San- 
tee, to destroy the General Rusk in Galveston harbor. At midnight two 
launches with forty men under Lieutenant Jouett put off from the 
Santee and pulled quietly towards the General Rusk, a few miles away. 
When near the schooner, the launches grounded, and in the confusion 
the alarm was given and the attacking party driven off by a heavy fire 
from the General Rusk. Lieutenant Jouett then turned about and 
pulled for the Royal Yacht, not far distant. She was carried by board- 
ing and her crew captured after a desperate struggle of thirty minutes. 
The yacht was fired by the Federals, and they returned in triumph to 
the Santee with thirteen prisoners. This brilliant exploit cost the en- 
emy, according to his own account, three killed and six wounded, and 
the Confederates the thirteen men constituting the crew of the yacht. 



346 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS 



Demoralization grew apace. November 15th, a week later. 
General Hebert, writing from Galveston, addressed the Secretary 
of War as follows : 

"There is no doubt but that the defense of Galveston, or any 
other point on this coast, in the event of a formidable attack, is 
a ver}^ difficult if not an impossible matter ; yet an effort must be 
made in that direction and this place held as long as possible. 
It is a cotton port, and if in the possession of the enemy would 
be a nucleus for the disaffected, of which there are, I am sorry 
to say, many in this State. As a matter of necessity connected 
with the defense and possession of the island, I have directed the 
planking of the railroad bridge, connecting with mainland, so as 
to admit of the passage of troops. The heavy guns, so long on 
the way, have not yet reached this place." 

This letter would seem to indicate a lack of confidence in his 
ability to meet the difficulties before him. Eeally, General 
Hebert appeared somewhat bewildered at the magnitude of the 
task assigned him, and not to have matured, at least at the be- 
ginning of my administration, any definite line of policy. The 
heavy guns referred to were a battery en route from Alexandria, 
and drawn by oxen. 

In reply to General Hebert's letter, Secretary of War Judah 
P. Benjamin wrote that there was then stored at San Antonio 
(Hebert's supposed headquarters) ammunition to supply the 
immediate needs of at least 15,000 men (three times the number 
under arms in Texas), and that he regretted that he could not 
supply any arms at the time, but had hopes of doing so in the 
near future. "In the meantime," concluded the Secretary, "it 
is well to continue to encourage the people to collect and jjreserve 
all their arms and ammunition, and to rely, as far as possible, 
upon their own means of defense in case of attack. You may 
assure them, however, that their confidence in the Confederate 
government shall not be disappointed and that, if threatened or 
invaded, they shall not be left without assistance." 

Believing that the storage of cotton along the coast would in- 

The latter were taken prisoners, three of them wounded. This was 
rather mortifying to us, as it indicated bad management to allow an en- 
terprising enemy such an opportunity for mischief. Our men from the 
Rusk, however, soon extinguished the fire and saved the vessel. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 347 



vite attack by the enemy, I issued a proclamation November 
30th forbidding the transportation and the storing of cotton at 
any points within striking distance of tlie enemy's vessels. This 
order had a good effect in preventing the capture of cotton by 
raiding parties from the Federal blockading ships. 

Our long line of frontier, subject to Indian raids and threat- 
ened with invasion by the Federals from the northwest, did not 
present so difficult a problem as the defense of our many hundreds 
of miles of seacoast. The former we had been accustomed to 
protect from the earliest days of the Republic down to the time 
of annexation, and often subsequent to that time, and we had a 
population well fitted and prepared for that mode of warfare. 
But our coast line, reaching from the Sabine to the Rio Grande, 
was, from the beginning of hostilities, at the mercy of an enemy 
who possessed a navy, while we were without a warship of any 
character, without shore batteries, and without heavy guns. At 
once the Confederates, with the limited means at command, be- 
gan to erect earthworks, providing them with what guns we could 
procure ; but our shore batteries after all were very few, of hur- 
ried and rude construction, and equipped with short-range guns, 
— so that it required great vigilance to see that launches from 
the blockaders were not allowed to land. That we had no deep- 
water ports was much in our favor, for vessels of heavy draught 
could not cross our bars, and the Federals, except in a few places, 
could only send launches to the shore for the purpose of depre- 
dating. 

To meet and repel the enemy in his carrying out of such tac- 
tics, I organized a body of irregular troops called the '"coast 
guards," and these proved themselves to be equal to the work 
assigned them, responding intelligently and effectively to the 
demands of every emergency. 

Rumors of the proposed evacuation of Galveston soon began 
to reach me at the capital. It was reported that all portable prop- j / 
erty, public and private, was being moved from the island ; that 
the hospital stores and the sick had arrived in Houston, and 
that the Galveston 'News had taken quarters at the latter place. 
From General Hebert's well known despondency and lack of 
any definite plan of defense, it was easy to believe that these ru- 
mors had some foundation. 



348 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



To encourage Hebert in the discharge of his dnty, I wrote 
him a letter offering to share with him the responsibility of burn- 
ing the city of Galveston, if he thought best, on its evacuation. 

While disclaiming any disposition to interfere with the de- 
fense of the State, I said in this letter, dated December 7th : 

"I wish you to understand that I am willing to and will share 
with you any responsibility you may be called upon to take in 
the delicate and arduous duties you are compelled daily to per- 
form. 

"It has appeared to me that the various channels across the 
bars should be immediately closed, including the Bolivar chan- 
nel and the one at the west end. If these channels are allowed 
to remain open the enemy will most certainly be enabled to take 
possession of the bays and the mouths of the rivers. Trinity, San 
Jacinto, Buffalo Bayou, etc., and can also get sufficiently near the 
railroad bridge at Virginia Point to destroy the bridge and the 
works at the point. . . . Every effort should be made to 
prevent the enemy from effecting a landing, . . . and to 
drive them off entirely, or much crippled, in their attempt to 
land. 

"If, however, it is found impossible to prevent the enemy from 
taking possession of the island, then I would suggest, as a der- 
nier resort, that the city of Galveston be entirely destroyed, — 
buildings and everything else which can afford them comfort, 
convenience, or shelter. Every cistern (wooden or brick) should 
be entirely destroyed, the water turned out, and the cisterns made 
wholly unfit for use again. The stock, including horses, cattle, 
and sheep, to be driven from the island, and every spear of grass 
burned. 

"If you should leave the city unharmed, the enemy will go 
into the most delightful winter quarters, with every comfort and 
convenience. . . . On the contrary, if you should destroy the 
place, turning off the water from the cisterns, they will be ex- 
posed to the severe northers and rains that will soon be upon 
them, forced to drink salt or brackish water, and be compelled 
to abandon the point or visit the mainland for wood and water, 
where you would be able to cut them to pieces. Constant ex- 
posure and bad water would produce their results, and the whole 
force thus subjected to disease and death. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 349 



"If the enemy is permitted to capture the city of Galveston 
without a fight, and a severe one at that, ... it would dis- 
pirit the people from one end of the State to the other; if there 
be treason hiding its head in the land, it will rear itself in our 
midst, ready to yield a willing obedience to the invaders, . . . 
if by so doing, the homes and property of traitors would be se- 
cure from destruction by the enemy." 

General Hebert, in his answer, thanked me for my proffered 
co-operation, but said nothing of my suggestion as to Galveston. 

In a few days Mayor Thos. Joseph wrote me that the citizens 
of Galveston had been informed that I had ordered that city 
burned, and "that, while they were ready to make any sacrifice 
for the public good and to regard any required act of military 
necessity a patriotic duty, they would like to know the circum- 
stances under which the Governor had advised the burning." 
This letter was the outcome of a meeting of the city council, 
called at the suggestion of M. M. Potter, representative in the 
Legislature from the Galveston district. 

Replying on December 19th to the mayor's communication, I 
enclosed a copy of my letter of the 7th of December to General 
Hebert, and said, among other things: "In writing the letter 
to General Hebert, I was actuated alone by a spirit of patriotism 
and determination, on my part, ... to show to an un- 
natural and vindictive enemy a settled purpose on our part to re- 
sist to the bitter end, that we were prepared for a sacrifice of 
property, life, and all but honor, in the present struggle. Hav- 
ing had no communication with General Hebert on this subject, 
and hearing daily rumors in regard to the evacuation of Galves- 
ton, I deemed it my duty to make such suggestions as appeared 
proper under all the circumstances. The letter speaks for itself. 
I had no right to give an order to the commanding general. I 
made suggestions to him, and assured him that, if he deemed 
the destruction of Galveston a great military necessity, I would 
most cheerfully share with him any responsibility taken in the 
premises." 

Eepelling with scorn the imputation of personal hostility to 
the city, I went on to say: "I have from 1836, when Galveston 
was a barren island, ... to the present moment, watched 
with pride and pleasure the city's rapid strides to greatness and 



350 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



wealth, and nothing but considerations of great military neces- 
sity would cause me to see one stone or plank from the many 
beautiful buildings that adorn this, our lovely island city, re- 
moved from its proper place; but I will repeat what I have said 
in substance to General Hebert, that I would rather see the city 
one blackened ruin than that a miserable, fanatical, abolition 
horde should be permitted to occupy it, gloating over their gains 
and laughing to scorn our abandonment of so important a 
strategic point." 

In concluding, I promised that when official duties would 
permit, I would visit Galveston and make any other explanation 
deemed necessary. I had nothing to hide from anybody, and 
upon the first intimation of the sentiment in Galveston I made 
the desired information public. When at Galveston, in March, 
1862, I made a speech at the Tremont, explaining fully all the 
circumstances. I claimed that the suggestion, not order, made 
in that letter was the prompting of as patriotic a heart as ever 
urged the defender of his fireside on to duty and to battle. I did 
not try to cover the letter up, as many would have done, by say- 
ing that it was written in order to scare the enemy away from 
our shores ; but said, instead, that in all sincerity, as the head of 
the people, I was first, when I thought it necessary, to take upon 
myself the responsibility of broaching that which seemed an in- 
evitable consequence at the time. I told the people that I was 
prompted by the conception of what was right. 

Letters were written me by many old and honored citizens who 
entertained views similar to my own, — by Ben C. Franklin, 
A. C. McKeen, and others. They did not blame me ; but, on the 
contrary, said we were in a struggle in which such things might 
be admissible, if it was intended to carry out the purpose for 
which the civil conflict was instituted. Nor did the people show 
me any indignities, or indicate in any way that they thought less 
of me. 

The newspapers of the State generally sustained me in this 
matter. 

The Houston Telegraph said : "The same reasons which in- 
duced the Eussians to burn Moscow to prevent its occupation by 
the French might apply with equal force to the case of Galveston, 
but we hope not." 

Eeplying, on December 24th, to General Hebert's letter of the 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 351 



17tli, I took occasion again to say: "It is my earnest desire to 
co-operate with you in the most efficient and speedy mode to con- 
centrate troops under your orders, so that an adequate force may 
be thrown in the face of the enemy and his assaults beaten back, 
no matter in what quarter made." I approved his reprobation 
of the irregular way in which troops had been raised in Texas 
without the knowledge of the authorities in the State. I re- 
quested him to subject to his orders the regiments of Colonels 
Locke and Maxey, believing that they might be more profitable 
on the coast than on Red River, their prospective winter quar- 
ters. 

I also made the best argument in my power to induce him to 
take into service, for immediate use, six months men. General 
Hebert had already announced his policy of not accepting any 
more commands except for tlie war. But about the time he 
wrote me he authorized Col. H. E. McCulloch to receive, for 
special service on the Rio Grande, troops for twelve months first, 
and later for six months. This had the desired effect, and the 
Rio Grande district soon had sufficient troops to hold it against 
any apprehended attack in that quarter. I closed with these 
words : "I entertain the hope, sir, that when we succeed in or- 
ganizing the State troops under the late law, enlistments will 
go on with alacrity and rapidity for the terms the exigencies of 
the service may demand; for I do not believe that the Texan 
people will so far forget themselves as to wait to be drafted." 

I vetoed a bill making an appropriation for the mileage and 
per diem of the members and officers of the Ninth Legislature. 
It, among other provisions, authorized for that purpose the use 
of various special funds in the treasury. It was also provided in 
the bill, that for any balance that might be due the members and 
officers after exhausting the funds in the treasury, the Comp- 
troller should draw his warrants upon the county tax collectors 
in their favor for such amounts. Upon reading the bill over 
rapidly, I was struck with astonishment that the Legislature 
should appropriate to their mileage and per diem these special 
funds.*** In addition to that they asked for warrants on the 

** The amounts of these moneys then in the treasury were $2183.01 
from escheats, $159.54 from estates, university fund $1517.90, common 
school fund $4520.10, a total of $8380.45, all in specie. 



352 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



collectors for any balance that might be due them, which meant 
that they were to receive gold and silver, while the other em- 
ployes of the government, and the debts of the State, were being 
paid in depreciated currency. 

Impressed with the injustice of the measure, and believing as 
I did that it would have a discouraging effect upon the people 
generally, without stopping to consult with my Secretary of 
State or other friends, I vetoed the bill at once. Upon its re- 
turn it was received with storms of indignation, members charg- 
ing the Governor with unwarranted attacks on the Legislature 
and unjust reflections upon their patriotism. A few of the 
members went so far as to say to me that the sentiments expressed 
in my veto message were demagogical. I replied to them that T 
was actuated in vetoing the bill by no other motives than justice 
and patriotism; that, however, had I been seeking for an op- 
portunity to strike the chord of popular favor and gain the ap- 
proval of the masses, they had most certainly furnished the op- 
portunity, and that I would venture to say that no one outside 
of those directly interested in the bill, and who voted for it, 
would justify their action. The vote in the House was 53 to 
34 against the veto. The necessary two-thirds required to 
override it were not secured in the Senate, however, the vote in 
that body being 16 for and 10 against sustaining the veto, and 
the bill consequently failed to become a law. 

A very remarkable and, it is believed, unprecedented action 
was then taken by the Legislature. A joint committee was ap- 
pointed to report upon the veto message, although it had just 
been sustained by legislative action. The movers for the ap- 
pointment of this committee claimed that the message reflected 
so severely on those voting for the bill that it was necessary to 
make an explanation in that way to their constituents and the 
country. The committee made a majority and minority report. 
The majority report stated that the bill was sanctioned by estab- 
lished precedent ;^*^ that former administrations had used such 
funds, and that there was nothing in it to call forth such a veto ; 
in fact, that the amount involved was "small game for such 
heavy artillery." 

*° Governor Houston's administration. — Ed. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 353 



The very able minority report declared that the veto was jus- 
tifiable and proper; that it was the prerogative of the executive 
to exercise the veto power whenever, in his judgment, it became 
necessary to bring it into requisition to stay improper or hasty 
legislation, and that the Legislature had sustained the veto, and 
that action should have closed the incident. The reports can 
be found set out in full in the Senate Journal of the regular ses- 
sion of the Ninth Legislature. 

The following gentlemen signed the minority report in favor 
of sustaining the veto : Geo. B. Erath, of the Senate, and Geo. 

D. Manion and Frank E. Williams, of the House of Representa- 
tives. 

It will be noticed that Capt. Geo. B. Erath signed the minority 
report. He was well known to all Texans as one of the most pa- 
triotic of men; a San Jacinto veteran, distinguished as a gal- 
lant soldier ; a pioneer of great energy and determination ; a suc- 
cessful Indian fighter and ranger, and from long experience and 
great intelligence a safe and conservative legislator. The other 
signers, Geo. D. Manion and Frank E. Williams, were young 
men of strong and widely recognized intellectual force. Frank 

E. Williams, who wrote the report, was from Rusk, Cherokee 
County, and was one of the ablest men in the House of Repre- 
sentatives. 

The following passages from the veto message give its salient 
points : 

"The second section [of the bill. — Ed.] provides that for the 
payment of the members of the Legislature and the officers of 
both houses the Treasurer may use any funds in the treasury be- 
longing either to the proceeds of the sale of the University lands, 
the settlement of the successions of deceased persons, escheated 
property, or the sinking funds on railroad bonds; provided, 
however, that whenever any of such funds shall be used the 
Treasurer shall replace the amount so used with bonds of the 
State for like amount, and that each member shall receive his 
fair proportion of such funds. . . 

"If this act should become a law all the present available funds 
in the State treasury, of every description, will at once pass from 
tlie vaults of the treasury into the hands of the beneficiaries un- 
der the act. 
23 






354 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS, 



"While I believe that the State should pay, to the utmost of 
its ability, all its officers, both civil and military, yet in the pres- 
ent critical condition of our beloved State and Confederacy, I 
confess I would witness with feelings of the deepest sorrow the 
last dollar drawn from the treasury unless to furnish arms, am- 
munition, and clothing to her gallant sons, who are now so 
proudly vindicating the fame of the Texas soldier. 

"The moneys arising from the sale of University lands were 
intended for a wise and beneficent object, and I greatly doubt the 
wisdom of disposing of them for the purpose indicated in the act 
under consideration, or for any like purpose. 

"The funds arising from the settlement of the successions of 
deceased persons and escheated property belong in all probability 
to minors and orphans who have no legal protection or guardians 
to demand these in their names. I am further informed by the 
Treasurer, in the statement herewith submitted, that he has un- 
official information that a large portion, if not all, of the last 
named funds will probably be shortly demanded by their right- 
ful owners. 

"There is still more grave and serious objection to the pro- 
posed appropriation of the sinking fund on railroad bonds." 

[The message goes on to show that by former legislation the 
sinking fund paid into the treasury by the railroad companies 
had been, by the consent of the roads, or a majority of them, 
passed to the credit of the school fund "as will be found in the 
Comptroller's communication on this subject."- — Ed.] 

"... At a time when every energy of the State should 
be husbanded for defense we should carefully guard against 
draining the treasury (to meet the ordinary expenses of legisla- 
tion) of special funds, protected by constitutional provision or 
held in trust subject to the use of others. The time may speedily 
come when self-preservation will demand that every resource of 
the State be put into requisition for the defense of our liber- 
ties and hearth-stones ; but surely the appropriation of these 
funds can bo justified only by the grave necessity of employing 
them in defending and preserving the lives and liberties of the 
people. ... 

"Futhermore, the proviso to the second section, which was 
no doubt intended to furnish a substitute for the funds so with- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 355 



drawn, appears to be wholly inadequate to the attainment of the 
object desired. It provides that the funds so withdrawn shall 
be replaced by the Treasurer with State bonds for a like amount. 
From whence are all these State bonds to be obtained? By 
whom and when, and how issued? How signed and counter- 
signed? When and to whom payable? What rate of interest, 
if any, are they to bear? And how is such interest to be paid? 
On all these points the act is silent. It would be well before dis- 
turbing these funds to provide in the clearest and most unmis- 
takable terms for their return to the treasury within a short 
and given period of time." 

This was my only veto, and the momentary irritation arising 
from it was soon allayed, a large proportion of the men who op- 
posed the measure soon coming to acknowledge its propriety, and 
my relations with the Legislature during the remainder of my 
term, — so busy and so full of suggestions and actions, — was of 
the most pleasant and harmonious character, the legislative and 
executive branches of the government working in complete uni- 
son for the good of the country. 

In addition to the discharge of the routine duties of the Gov- 
ernor's office I, without delay, bent my energies to the formula- 
tion and adoption of measures to prevent the invasion of the 
country by the enemy, to provide material, supplies, and arms 
for the defense of the State and of the Confederacy, and to prop- 
erly care for the families of our soldiers battling at the front. 

From the time of the secession convention our citizens began 
volunteering, and the organization of regiments throughout the 
Giate was actively going on. Texas had now about 20,000 men 
in arms, as before stated. Already Texans were doing faithful 
duty in the Confederate army hundreds of miles beyond the bor- 
ders of the State, — Hood, Wigfall, and Archer were in Virginia; 
Terry, Tom Lubbock, and Gregg in Kentucky; Baylor in Kx\- 
zona; Greer and Locke in Missouri, and Ben McCulloch in the 
Indian Territory. 

Camps of instruction had been established at various points in 
the State, where men were mustered in, equipped, and drilled for 
service. My first work was to push on to completion organiza- 
tions that were forming, and then to raise additional regiments. 
The State troops were transferred as rapidly as possible to the 



356 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Confederate service, as the sooner this could be done the less 
would be the expense to the State. 

Such gallant frontiersmen as Hays, Walker, Burleson, Ford, 
McCulloch, Eoss, and Baylor had in time past made famous the 
Texas Rangers and demonstrated their superiority over the 
United States regulars for frontier service, and men of this class 
were now in special demand. 

Baylor and Ford, sent out by the convention with a regiment 
to the Mexican border, were rendering a good account of them- 
selves. The first had already conquered Arizona, and the second 
held by a tight grip the lower Rio Grande. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 357 



CHAPTER TWENTY. 

The Frontier Regiment — Militia Organization — Message on United 
States Bonds — The Military Board — Letter to Me from Secretary 
Benjamin — Exchange of United States Bonds for Confederate States 
Bonds — Opinions of Wigfall, Hemphill, Waul, and Reagan — My Re- 
ply to Secretary Benjamin — The Board's Circular Address — Arsenal, 
Cap and Cartridge Factory at Austin — War Legislation — Colonel 
Baylor, Conquerer of Arizona — President Davis on Retaliation — The 
Twin Sisters — Attitude of Texas in the War — Mason and Slidell — 
Confederate Disasters — Coast Army Ordered to Arkansas. 

President Davis had at an early day authorized the raising of 
a regiment of mounted riflemen for the protection of our Indian 
frontier. The time of service of this fine regiment, commanded 
by Col. Henry E. McCulloch, was almost ready to expire, when 
the settlements would be left exposed to Indian forays. To meet 
this pressing emergency a law was enacted on December 31st 
calling into the State service for the special protection of our In- 
dian frontier an organization known afterwards as the "Frontier 
regiment," but subject to the rules and regulations of the Con- 
federate States army. These troops were to be stationed outside 
of the settlements at posts about twenty-five miles apart, as 
nearly as practicable, on a direct line from a point on Eed River, 
in Montague County, to a point on the Rio Grande, and thence 
down said river to its mouth. 

Our representatives in Congress were directed to urge the ac- 
ceptance of this regiment by the Confederate government, with 
the understanding, however, that it was to be under the direction 
of the State authorities, and not to leave the limits of Texas, 
and the men were to be disbanded by the Governor "whenever, 
in his judgment, their services shall no longer be necessary for 
frontier protection." 

It fell upon me also to appoint an adjutant and inspector- 
general for the State, and for each congressional district one 
aide-de-camp for my stafl^. I was authorized to order a draft 
from the enrolled militia should a sufficiency of volunteers fail 
to respond to my call for troops. 

The frontier regiment was well officered by men of large fron- 



358 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



tier experience, good Indian fighters, and brave soldiers. The 
first officers were : James IST. Norris, of Coryell County, colonel f"^ 
A. T. Obenchain, of Parker, lieutenant-colonel; James E. Me- 
Cord, of Hays, major. After Obenchain was killed, McCord was 
promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and J. B. Barry, of Bosque 
County (known as "Buck" Barry), appointed major. Barry 
was quite distinguished as an experienced frontiersman and In- 
dian fighter. 

The entire organization was made up of men already living 
in the counties to be protected, the law prohibiting the enlistment 
of men from other localities. The intention was to have only 
hardy, brave men, who would be directly interested in giving 
good protection to their own homes, and also to keep those who 
wished to avoid Confederate service from moving to that part 
of the country. 

In a message to the Legislature in reference to the important 
matter of proper militia organization, I said : "I];i case of in- 
vasion by the enemy the militia is our chief reliance for defense, 
but organization is badly needed. The inefficiency of the present 
militia law being now demonstrated, our necessities require a 
new and more efficient law for the complete organization of the 
military force of Texas. A law simple in form and easy of exe- 
cution is demanded, under which every able-bodied man in the 
State liable to military duty shall be enrolled, disciplined, and 
placed under the command of good and efficient officers. All 
able-bodied men in the State between the ages of 17 and 50 
should be subjected to military duty with certain exemptions." 

Eeferring to another important matter I said : "I would call 
the attention of your honorable body to the exposed .condition of 
the gulf coast and the imperative need for heavy guns in that 
quarter, and this without any lack of confidence in the Con- 
federate States government to do everything in its power for 
our defense. But we may have to depend upon such ordnance 
as we have or are able to manufacture within this State. There 
are artisans among us who understand the manufacture of can- 

«^ Among other names considered for the appointment was that of 
Dr. R. M. Gano, member from Tarrant. This gentleman afterwards 
became distinguished as a cavalry officer under General John H. Mor- 
gan, and finally attained a brigadier-general's rank. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 359 



Hon and muskets. Their services should be utilized, if possible. 
There is iron in Eastern Texas well adapted to the purpose, and 
steps should be taken at once to effect the manufacture of arms, 
either through contract with private parties, or by means of a 
State foundry." 

Responding to the first of these recommendations, the Legis- 
lature enacted a law to perfect the organization of the State 
troops and place them on a war footing. It was approved by me 
on Christmas day, 1861. This act was comprehensive and elab- 
orate in detail. It began by making liable to military duty all 
the white male inhabitants between the ages of 18 and 50 years, 
with these exceptions : "Postmasters and mail carriers, ferrymen 
on public roads, judges of the Supreme and District Courts, 
and clerks of said courts, Secretary of State, Comptroller and 
Treasurer of the State, chief justices and clerks of the county 
courts, all oflficers of the Confederate States, engineers and con- 
ductors on railroads, officers and crews of steamboats, sheriffs, 
and officers of the penitentiary." 

The State was divided into thirty-three districts, each to be 
commanded by a brigadier-general. The following is an approx- 
imately correct, though not official, list of those who were elected 
and served as brigadier-generals under this arrangement : Thos. 
B. Howard, Geo. W. Van Vleck, F. B. Sublett, Drury Field, Sam 
Henderson, F. A. Harris, W. P. Saufly, G. H. Wooten, Alex 
Smith, D. B. Martin, W. M. Taylor, S. M. Flournoy, W. H. 
Hoard, A. E. Pace, H. F. Young, W. J. Kyle, Thos. M. Blake, 
W. B. Middleton, Henry Jones, ISTat Terry, William Hudson, 
Wm. G. Webb, John Sayles, D. E. Crossland, S. B. Conley, N. 
G. Shelley, H. P. Hale, John Scofield, W. W. Dunlap, W. B. 
Knox, Eobert Becham, H. Clay Davis, and J. Magoffin. 

In answering, January 3, 1862, a letter from Col. James I. 
Cook relative to the military situation on the coast, I said : 

"I appreciate fully the critical condition of our State should 
the enemy determine upon an invasion of our soil. Recognizing 
fully the necessity of State action in my inaugural, as also in 
my message, I urged upon the Legislature that every means 
should be adopted by them to put the State in a proper position 
of defense from the seacoast to the mountains. I have time and 
again urged upon individual members of the Legislature the im- 



360 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



perative necessity of using fortiiwith all available means in the 
treasury for the purchase of arms and munitions of war, and to 
place all the resources and securities held by the State either in 
the hands of the executive or some other agent, that they might 
be used in carrying on the war in which we are engaged. Up to 
this time I am very sorry to say that, although many proposi- 
tions have been introduced in the Legislature, no measures look- 
ing to the great necessity of self-defense have passed and become 
the law of the land. 

"The suggestions you make are true. They are well worthy 
of the prompt attention of the Legislature. I have already read 
your communication to several members pointing out the feasi- 
bility of the plan you propose, and have urged upon them early 
action in the premises. I fear many of our legislators do not 
rise up to the important struggle we are engaged in, and are 
timidly hesitating to involve the State in an indebtedness that 
must follow the placing of the State on a proper war footing. 

"Notwithstanding the importance of immediately placing the 
State on a war footing to resist impending evils, I am wholly 
powerless to move in any direction to accomplish this desirable 
object unless the Legislature shall in its wisdom clothe me with 
authority to do so. 

"I shall be pleased at all times to receive any suggestions you 
may be pleased to make, with the assurance that I will bestow 
upon them due consideration, for I can truly say to you that the 
utmost of my desire is to protect the State and the people from 
invasion." 

A few days after penning the above I sent the following mes- 
sage to the Legislature : 

"I am this morning in receipt of important intelligence of 
great vital interest to the State of Texas as well as to the Con- 
federate States, and forthwith lay it before you for your action, 
knowing that your patriotism will move you to wise conclusions. 

"I herewith enclose you a copy of a letter received by me this 
morning from the Hon. J. P. Benjamin, Secretary of "War of 
the Confederate States, by which it will be seen he proposes to 
substitute for any amount of United States 5 per cent bonds in 
possession of the State of Texas which can be used in the pur- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 361 



chase of arms and ammunition, Confederate States bonds bear- 
ing 8 per cent interest. 

"I am also in receipt of letters from our members in the Pro- 
visional Congress, L. T. Wigfall, John Hemphill, and T. N. 
Wanl, which letters I herewith transmit you, all urging upon me 
the acceptance of the proposition made by the Secretary of War. 

"I am also informed by Mr. Giddings, who conveyed to me 
these papers, that our other members present at Richmond also 
favor the exchange, and that their letters may be daily ex- 
pected. 

"It appears to me that the arrangement proposed would be 
a most advantageous one for the State, and the parties directly 
interested in the United States bonds now in the treasury greatly 
benefited by the exchange. The best we can hope for would be 
the assumption of the payment of the United States bonds by 
the Confederate States at a very remote period after the present 
war terminates. 

"Should the United States, after the declaration of peace, 
agree to pay her bonds now in the treasury of this State, at what 
time can or will it be done? My own opinion is that that gov- 
ernment will be so totally and wholly bankrupted by the present 
war that she will never be in a condition to pay these bonds, no 
matter how great her willingness may be. Therefore, in a finan- 
cial point of view, it is very clear to my mind that the interest of 
the State, the school fund, and the parties who expect to be bene- 
fited by the use of these bonds, would all be greatly advanced by 
the proposed exchange. 

"Other considerations of a patriotic character rise higher tlian 
all pecuniary interest, and appeal loudly and strongly for the 
State of Texas to take some action in the direction indicated. 

"Our country is engaged, as I have ofttimes repeated, in a 
just, holy, and important struggle. What we most require in 
order to enable us to bring this war to a speedy and successful 
termination is the proper arming of our people and obtaining 
the necessarv' munitions of war. We have now an opportunity 
of contributing largely to that end without injury to ourselves, 
and without the creation of any additional State debt ; and I 
trust, gentlemen, you will meet the crisis, come to the support 
of the Confederate government, and by your action on this sub- 



362 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



ject inflict a heavy blow upon our enemies, and sustain the pa- 
triotism and devotion of the State of Texas to the great cause 
in which we are all embarked. 

"I also transmit a letter on the same subject from Hon. Jno. 
H. Eeaoan." 

Two days later I approved a bill entitled "An Act to provide 
funds for military purposes." 

The first section of this law created a Military Board, consist- 
ing of myself, the Comptroller, and the Treasurer, and by the 
other sections we were empowered "to provide for the defense of 
the State by using any United States bonds in the treasury," ex- 
press authority being given us to substitute them in equal 
amounts for bonds of the Confederate States. 

On the same day, January 11, 1862, I approved another bill 
on the same line entitled "An Act to provide arms and ammuni- 
tion, and for the manufacture of arms and ordnance for the 
military defense of the State." Under this law (for the purposes 
above named) was appropriated the sum of $500,000 of the 
bonds authorized to be issued by the Act of April 8, 1861. 

The Military Board was authorized to dispose of said bonds 
in any manner it might see proper and find necessary to the ac- 
complishment of the objects enumerated in the law conferring 
this power. 

Under the terms of the various enactments enumerated the 
board was given a wide margin of discretion. We might sell 
bonds straight out and then buy arms and ammunition, or barter 
the bonds directly for arms and ammunition, or for anything 
else contemplated by law. We were also invested with power to 
appoint one or more agents to negotiate bonds, purchase arms 
and ammunition, or superintend the manufacture of arms and 
ordnance, and to allow them reasonable compensation for their 
services. We might further, if we deemed such action advisable, 
establish a foundry for the manufacture of ordnance, and one 
or more manufactories of small arms at convenient places in the 
State. The act conferring the last mentioned authority went 
into effect immediately on its passage and carried with it an ap- 
propriation of $500,000 to carry out its provisions. 

By an act entitled "An Act to appropriate funds for military 
purposes" (approved January 14, 1862), $1,000,000 were appro- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 363 



priated for military purposes, as follows: "For the support, 
comfort, and efficiency of the State troops, if called into active 
service; for the purchase of arms and munitions of war of all 
kinds that may be necessary and proper; for the manufacture 
of such arms and munitions, and the purchase in any market 
of materials therefor; for procuring necessary armories, and 
other places for storing military property; for preservation, 
care, and use of such property ; for stationary works of defense, 
nautical vessels, and instruments, if needed; for the necessary 
maintenance of troops along the interior frontier under the law 
for its defense, and for all necessary and proper incidents of the 
foregoing military purposes." 

For the purposes above enumerated Confederate money and 
specie (except that coming in from specific taxes and special 
school funds) might be used; provided, first, $35,000 in specie 
should be set aside for the asylums in Austin; $300 for pay- 
ment of postage for the executive and other departments, and 
$1200 for obtaining blanks for treasury warrants. 

Even at this early period of the war paper money, whether 
State or Confederate, was circulated at a considerable discount, 
and certain articles could be had only for specie or hard money — 
gold or silver. 

The foregoing acts creating the Military Board with ample 
powers, and providing a fund for the military defense of the 
State, was the kind of desirable legislation hinted at in my letter 
to Colonel Cooke. 

The board organized at Austin, January 13, 1863, and at once 
entered upon its official career. I was chairman. My private 
secretary, W. M. Walton, temporarily acted as secretary, and was 
allowed extra compensation therefor. My associates. Comp- 
troller C. R. Johns and Treasurer C. H. Randolph, were men of 
sterling worth, great energy, and excellent business capacity, and 
we worked together with complete unanimity as to personal and 
political sentiments, ideas as to what should be done, and the 
means to be employed in carrying into effect the plans we de- 
termined upon. 

At this first meeting of the board I laid before it the papers 
I had submitted to the Legislature, to wit, the letter of Mr. 
Benjamin to me, and the endorsement of the same by our lead- 



364 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



ing statesmen at Eichmond. Below appears Mr. Benjamin's 
letter in full, and only such parts of the others as are relevant 
to the subject: 

"Confederate States of America, \ 

"War Department^ v 

"Eichmond, 3d December, 1861. \ 
"Sir: The ordnance bureau of this department has employed 
Mr. G. H. Giddings, of your State, as its agent for the purchase 
of arms. Mr. Giddings has made arrangements for such pur- 
chases in Matamoros, payment to be made in the United States 
bonds now held by your State which as he thinks can be used for 
that purpose, if you consent. 

"The object of this lett-er is to inform you that if you will 
make use of the United States bonds in your possession in the 
purchase of arms to be approved by Mr. Giddings, at prices sat- 
isfactory to him, this government will receive the arms from 
you at cost and charges, and pay for them in its own 8 per cent 
bonds. 

"By this arrangement you will succeed in exchanging your 
United States bonds, now useless and bearing only 6 per cent, 
for the bonds of the Confederate States bearing interest at 8 
per cent, and receive the interest regularly and punctually. 

"I hope your excellency may deem it consistent with your 
sense of public duty to make an arrangement which seems to be 
recommended by so many advantages. 

I am, y'r ob't serv't, 

"J. P. Benjamin, 

"Secretary of War. 
"His Excellency Francis Lubbock. Governor of Texas." 

In reference to the above proposition, General Wigfall thus 
wrote me from the headquarters of the Texas brigade at Dum- 
fries, Va., December 9, 1861 : 

"Dear Governor: ... I have no hesitation in advising 
that you accept the proposition. The United States bonds must, 
of course, at the end of the war be recognized by the United 
States government; but will that government ever be able to 
pay them ? I think not. It will come out of this war utterly 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 365 



and hopelessly bankrupt, whereas the bonds of the Confederate 
States are amply secured, and must be at all times at par, if not 
above." 

Confederate States Senator Hon. John Hemphill, in his letter 
to me, said : 

"I cordially recommend you to accept the proposition. . . . 
The State, so far from making any sacrifice, will exchange bonds 
which are now, and will probably always be, worthless to her for 
stock now at par, and whose value will be commensurate and co- 
existent with the government itself." 

Congressman T. N. Waul, from Richmond, under date of De- 
cember 14, 1861, advised me thus: 

"Mr. Benjamin's letter meets with my cordial approval, and I 
hope it will meet your approbation. The investment is a good 
one under any circumstances." 

Postmaster-General Jno. H. Reagan, under date of December 
14, 1861, wrote me as follows : 

"It is understood that arms can be purchased with the United 
States bonds as cash. Our State can not at this time realize 
either principal or interest on the United States bonds. And 
their payment may be repudiated by that government if they 
remain the property of the State ; and I recommend to your fa- 
vorable consideration the proposition to exchange them for Con- 
federate bonds. 

"On the subject of the manner of making the substitution, I 
have only to say that if it can be done it would seem best for 
the State to make the exchange of the bonds, and allow the Con- 
federate States government to take the responsibility of its own 
transactions in the purchases to be made with the United States 
bonds." 

After due consideration of the above letters we delivered on 
January 13, 1862, to G. H. Giddings-"'^ one hundred United States 
bonds of $1000 each, bearing 5 per cent interest, and Mr. Gid- 
dings receipted us therefor, "With the positive understanding," 
says his receipt, "that the War Department will recognize my au- 

5' Under date oi December 12. 1861, Secretary Benjamin instructed 
G. H. Giddings, his agent in Texas, "to buy cotton witli Confederate 
treasury notes, to ship to and sell the cotton at Matamoros, and with the 
proceeds purchase and pay for arms at that port." 



366 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



thority, and pav over to the Militant Board aforesaid bonds of 
the Confederate States for a like amount and bearing 8 per cent 
interest." 

To meet any possible contingency the following was added to 
the receipt the same day and duly signed by Mr. Giddings : 

"Now, it is expressly understood that should the war depart- 
ment fail or refuse to recognize my authority, or to pay over the 
bonds as stipulated, then I agree and bind myself, within ninety 
days from the date of this instrument, to pay to the said Military 
Board the amount of said bonds in Confederate treasury notes, 
Confederate 8 per cent bonds, or in arms and munitions of war 
at the price agreed upon in my contract with the Confederate 
government or the return of the identical bonds delivered to me." 

On the same day, at the suggestion of G. H. Giddings, we ap- 
pointed his brother, J. D. Giddings, as bearer of dispatches to 
Kichmond, and instructed him to press forward as rapidly as 
possible. The most important of these was a letter from me to 
Mr. Benjamin. It was (omitting formal address and conclusion) 
as follows : 

"Sir: Your highly esteemed favor of the 8d of December, 
1861, was received by me on the 9th inst. through Mr. G. H. Gid- 
dings. Immediately on its receipt, the executive having no con- 
trol over the securities alluded to in your communication, I sub- 
mitted the matters to the Legislature, then in session. 

"The Legislature very promptly passed an act to meet the 
emergency (approved on the 11th of January, 1863), a copy of 
which I have the honor to transmit to you. The act is not as 
clear as it might have l)een, I presume from the fact that it was 
deemed best not to make known the particular character of the 
securities sought to be disposed of. 

"You will perceive that by the act a Military Board is created, 
composed of the Governor, Comptroller, and Treasurer, any two 
of whom may act, etc. 

"You will also see that the act contemplates that for any of 
the bonds disposed of (meaning the United States bonds) a like 
amount of Confederate bonds shall be placed in the State treas- 
ury to the credit of the funds to which these bonds properly be- 
long, viz., the school fund. 

"Upon an examination this morning of your letter to the ex- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 367 



eciitive, before referred to, the board was doubtful as to the au- 
thority of Mr. Giddings 1o receipt us for the bonds as the agent 
of the government; but, from our knowledge of Mr. Giddings, 
and the many evidences he has with him of the confidence re- 
posed in him by the War Department, together with the fact that 
he is now expecting valuable arrivals at Matamoros, at his solici- 
tation we have placed in his hands (as per receipt, a copy of 
which please find enclosed) one hundred thousand dollars of the 
United States bonds, which we trust will meet your approbation. 

"The board would prefer, as Mr. Giddings is the agent of the 
government, to place in liis hands the United States bonds that 
can be negotiated, giving the Confederate States government the 
entire control of them. In return, we expect to receive the Con- 
federate bonds bearing 8 per cent interest, with, of course, the 
understanding that, should you fail to use any portion of the 
bonds, then and in that case the bonds so undisposed of will be 
received back by the State of Texas. 

"These bonds belong to our school fund, and are held very 
sacred by our laws, as well as by the people. Nothing but a mili- 
tary necessity would induce them to divert them from that fund. 

"Deeming this matter of great importance, we have dispatched 
Mr. J. D. Giddings, one of our most reliable citizens, to Eich- 
mond, that he might interview you on this subject. 

"We trust that you will accept our proposals and that you will 
return by Mr. J. D. Giddings such acceptance, or that you will 
send to Mr. George H. Giddings full authority to execute to us 
the necessary receipts. We sincerely hope that, in the exchange 
of these funds, much benefit may be derived by the Confederate 
States,- and that, by their use, arms, ammunition, etc., may be 
purchased, that will materially aid in driving from our soil the 
base and foul invaders." 

In reply, Mr. Benjamin informed the board that he possessed 
no authority to make such an exchange, but that he would pur- 
chase of the State any arms and munitions of war that were pro- 
cured by Mr. Giddings for these bonds. 

Mr. Giddings was allowed ninety days to endeavor to nego- 
tiate the bonds. The Secretary of War having, however, notified 
the board that he could not ratify the agreement we had entered 
into with Mr. Giddings, we extended the time granted the latter 



368 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



gentleman. Mr. Giddings attempted in various quarters to ne- 
gotiate the bonds, but without success, and finally returned them 
to the board and they were placed back in the treasury. 

In a "Circular Address" to the people of the State, the board 
made a strong appeal to their patriotism, invoking their hearty 
co-operation in all of the measures taken by it to provide for the 
defense of the country. Eecognizing the fact that cotton was 
king, at least to the extent of furnishing the sinews of war, we 
announced in the address that large purchases of cotton were 
desirable, and for that purpose we offered in payment 8 per 
cent loan bonds of the State, calling for semi-annual payments of 
interest in specie. These bonds were in denominations of one 
thousand dollars each, with coupons attached. The address con- 
cluded as follows : 

"The Legislature has done all it could have done for the de- 
fense of the State. The duty has been imposed on us to so ap- 
propriate the securities placed in our hands as to insure the 
defense of the State and the certain protection of the lives and 
liberties of the people. We are confident that our appeal will 
not be in vain; we do not doubt that you will rally to the call 
of your State ; we can not believe that you will fail to afford the 
means to repel and chastise the insolent foe should he attempt to 
desecrate the soil of Texas with his polluting tread. . . . 
Then, freemen of Texas ! your State demands your aid, not only 
for your own defense and protection, but for the welfare of gen- 
erations yet unborn and the security of civil and religious lib- 
erty. Act, that you may remain free men !" 

By virtue of the authority conferred by law on the board, we 
next proceeded to send agents abroad to negotiate some of our 
United States bonds for munitions of war, the one thing needful 
for the achievement of our independence. Other agents were 
appointed to purchase cotton with the loan bonds of the State, 
the cotton to be forwarded to and sold in Mexico, and the pro- 
ceeds used in the purchase of various articles of prime necessity 
and to establish factories for the manufacture of arms and other 
needed supplies by the State. 

Among other of our acts, we established an arsenal of con- 
struction at Austin. It was situated in the southeastern portion 
of the city, at the mouth of Waller Creek. The following were 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 369 



placed in charge of the works : William Carson, superintendent ; 
Prof. Eossler, chief draughtsman ; James Brown, foreman of the 
wood department; E. Perry and E. A. Miller, foremen of the 
turning and finishing departments ; Thomas Randolph, foreman 
of the foundry, and Joseph Marstella, foreman of the blacksmith 
shop. The plant was speedily put in successful operation and 
turned out a few first-class brass cannon that afterwards 
performed effective service for the Confederacy. The co])per 
from which they were cast was brought from Mexico. The pieces 
were finished complete, thoroughly tested with double charges 
of powder and solid four-pound shot, and in workmanship, ap- 
pearance, and excellence would compare favorably with any 
turned out by any cannon factory. 

We also established a cap and cartridge factory at Austin, 
utilizing the Supreme Court building for that purpose. This 
building stood back of the capitol. Emil Durhea, an experienced 
chemist, was placed in charge as superintendent. All the ma- 
chinery employed was made here at home. For instance, the two 
hat-cap machines (each with a capacity of 250 caps a minute) 
were built for us by E. Perry, assisted by R. A. Miller, and the 
rest by these gentlemen and others. 

It was also a part of our policy to make advances in cash and 
cotton to private individuals, in order that they might be enabled 
to establish needed industries. On this line of work the board 
was almost in continuous session until the succeeding meeting 
of the Legislature, when the results were reported. My attend- 
ance was frequently interrupted by executive duties calling me 
elsewhere ; but the board did no work in the meantime which I 
did not heartily endorse. 

Besides the act creating the Military Board and the others that 
have been enumerated, the same session passed various other 
laws partaking of the character of war legislation, among which 
may be mentioned acts to provide for the disposition of certain 
property belonging to the enemy then in the hands of the adju- 
tant-general ; to provide for the construction of an efficient war 
marine, etc. ; to suspend all laws for the collection of debts ; to le- 
galize actions of various county courts in issuing bonds for mili^ 
tary purposes ; one providing for the pay of the State troops un- 
der the command of Col. John S. Ford on the Rio Grande ; to au- 
24 



370 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



thorize the county courts to levy and collect a special tax for war 
purposes; to appropriate money to defray all expenses necessary 
to secure and transport clothing, etc., to the Texas volunteers ; to 
pay commissioners sent by the convention to the Choctaws, Chero- 
kees, and other friendly tribes of Indians, and to Arizona and 
New Mexico; to create a hospital fund for the benefit of the sick 
and wounded soldiers of Texas in the Confederate army; to au- 
thorize the receipt of treasury warrants and Confederate notes 
for all dues and taxes, except the special specie taxes levied for 
the payment of interest and principal of loans, and interest on 
school fund loaned to certain railroads ; and to define and punish 
sedition. Sedition, under the law, was declared to consist in 
maliciously and advisedly discouraging enlistments in the Con- 
federate army, or in disposing the people to favor the enemy. It 
was made punishable by confinement in the penitentiary for a 
term of not less than three nor more than five years. 

Among the private acts to aid in prosecuting the war were the 
following: To incorporate and confer special privileges upon 
the Texas Lead Mine Company, organized for the manufacture 
of lead; to incorporate the Fort Bend Manufacturing Company 
(capital stock not to exceed $200,000), for the manufacture of 
all fabrics made in whole or in part of wool, cotton, silk, hemp, 
or flax, and also articles made of wood, iron, and steel (a wide 
range of business, truly) ; to relieve certain railroads of paying 
interest on borrowed school fund until six months after the end 
of the war ; to amend the act incorporating the Southern Cotton 
Press and Manufacturing Company (capital stock not to exceed 
$1,000,000), a corporation empowered by law to receive, store, 
warehouse, repair, compress, and rebale cotton, and to manufac- 
ture cotton rope, etc. ; to incorporate the Texas Powder Com- 
pany (capital stock, $30,000), and directing the Land Commis- 
sioner to issue to said powder company six land certificates of 
640 acies each, to be located on any part of the public domain 
from which could be procured the necessary ingredients for gun- 
powder (James E. Sweet, James Duff, Sam R. Maverick, Alex 
Young, and Francis Giraud were the incorporators) ; to incor- 
porate the Texas Manufacturing Company (capital stock not to 
exceed $250,000), and to authorize it to locate its plant or plants 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 371 



anywhere in the State, and there engage in the manufacture of 
cotton and woolen goods, and any other fabrics, for home use. 

These incorporated enterprises indicated clearly the trend of 
the public mind at that day ; but several of them, on account of 
the insuperable difficulties in the way, never materialized. 

Besides those mentioned, the Legislature passed an act author- 
izing the Governor to appoint agents to receive and forward blan- 
kets, clothing, and other articles to the soldiers of Texas. The 
agents were to obtain these much needed supplies by voluntary 
subscriptions from individuals and deliver them to the soldiers 
according to the wishes of the donors. 

Having afterwards learned that articles so secured for our 
troops in the field were scattered all along the line, from Nib- 
lett's Bluff, on the Trinity, to Virginia, I called the attention of 
the Legislature to that fact by message, with suggestions of need- 
ful legislation. This resulted in the prompt enactment of a law 
appropriating $5000 to defray all expenses necessary to the secur- 
ing and transportation of "all clothing or other contributions to 
Texas volunteers, now or hereafter detained on the route, to their 
destination." 

At the same session joint resolutions were passed memorializ- 
ing Congress (in view of the circumstances enumerated) to sus- 
pend the custom-houses on the Rio Grande ; to pay the per diem 
and mileage of the presidential electors for the election in 1861, 
in which Jefferson Davis was elected president of the Confederate 
States ; commending Col. John E. Baylor and his men for the 
conquest of Arizona ; and endorsing the stand taken by President 
Davis in the Savannah incident. The following is the text of the 
latter resolution : "Resolved, that we highly approve of the 
promptness with which the President of the Confederate States 
has made preparation to retaliate, in the event that the Lincoln 
government should execute, as pirates, any or all of the crew of 
the privateer Savannah ; and we express the decided opinion that 
retaliation should be strictly and vigorously practiced by our 
government in all such cases." 

In their letter to me of December 27, 1861, the Texas delega- 
tion in Congress say that, on presenting this resolution to Presi- 
dent Davis, "the president, in very apt and graceful terms, ac- 



372 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



knowledged his obligations to the government of the State of 
Texas for their endorsement of his action in the premises." 

Another joint resohition was the following, relative to the 
"Twin Sisters" cannon, which, after they had been given to the 
United States government, had been at Baton Eouge : 

'^Yhereas, the State of Louisiana having caused to be placed 
in order and delivered to the State of Texas the two gims known 
in the history of Texas as the 'Twin Sisters,' as a token of friend- 
ship towards this State, and desiring to return our acknowledg- 
ment of such a gift and to express our friendship and kind feel- 
ings towards our sister State: 

"Section 1. Be it resolved by the Legislature of the State of 
Texas, that we receive the valuable and useful gift to Texas, and 
acknowledge our obligations to our sister State for the friendship 
and generosity so manifested by the donation of the guns that 
are so famous in the history of Texas. 

"Sec. 2. Be it further resolved, that we assure our sister State 
that it is our desire to cultivate and perpetuate the friendly rela- 
tions that now exist between this State and the State of Louis- 
iana, and, should an occasion occur in which it will become nec- 
essary for Texas to use the 'Twin Sisters' in defense of the rights 
of Louisiana, Texas, or any other State in the Confederacy, and 
to repel the invasion of a despot, the sons of Texas will be found 
ready to man them and to remain by them until the invaders of 
our common country shall be driven from our soil. 

"Sec. 3. Be it further resolved, that the Governor of the State 
of Texas be, and he is hereby, requested to cause a copy of these 
resolutions to be transmitted to the Governor of the State of 
Louisiana." (Approved January 13, 1862.) 

The guns came in due time and were deposited at Austin. 
Maj. A. G. Dickinson, commanding the post at San Antonio, on 
November 30, 1863, wrote Maj. S. T. Fontaine, chief of artillery 
and ordnance for Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas : "The 'Twin 
Sisters,' I am informed are at or in a camp in the vicinity of 
Austin. They are in a deplorable condition, and I am fearful 
could not be used," and, continuing, referred him to Col. John S. 
Ford for further information. This is the last official mention 
of these guns, says the compiler of "Eecords of the Rebellion," 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 373 



published by the United States government since the war. The 
subsequent fate and present whereabouts of these guns (if they 
are still in existence) is unknown. 

This Legislature, among its other acts, issued a solemn decla- 
ration to the world, defining the attitude assumed by Texas in 
the war: Among other asseverations in this document were the 
following: "The people of Texas do hereby assure her sister 
Confederate States and the world that she stands ready with 
heart and hand to resist our invaders until the last soldier is 
driven from our borders and until we shall conquer an honor- 
able and glorious peace. . . . That the proximate cause of the 
dissolution of the Union was that the North had the power and 
had avowed the determination to deprive the South of social and 
political equality. . . . That we have unlimited confidence in 
the wisdom of our President, the skill of our generals, the cour- 
age of our soldiers, and in the final and glorious triumph of our 
cause.-' 

I sent, as requested by joint resolution, a copy of this declara- 
tion to each of our representatives in Congress, and to the Gov- 
ernor of each of the Confederate States, with a request that they 
be laid before their respective Legislatures. The confidence an- 
nounced in the final issue of events may be considered as a fair 
expression of the public sentiment of that day. 

After the adjournment of the Legislature I was quite broken 
down. My physician. Dr. J. M. Steiner, advised that plenty of 
horseback exercise would soon bring me back to my usual fine 
health. Acting upon his advice, my horse was at the gate 
every morning soon after daylight, unless it was raining, and I 
mounted and galloped from four to six miles. For 3'ears of my 
life I had been accustomed to ride from five to thirty miles — 
sometimes fifty miles — a day, and my constitution demanded the 
exercise. 

I was often cautioned and advised by prominent men and good 
friends that, in taking my long rides alone and in going to and 
returning from my office at night, I ran considerable risk of as- 
sassination, because of a lawless element and some few persons 
who were hostile to mo in consequence of my enforcement of the 
laws, and particularly of my determined course regarding enlist- 



374 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



ments in the service. I, however, fearlessly discharged my duty 
and was never molested.^*. 

Returning from my morning rides by the postoffice, it was my 
custom to get my letters, make the proper indorsements upon 
reaching home upon them, and as soon as breakfast was over 
go to my office prepared for the day's work. 

My rides and the bracing morning air soon restored me to my 
accustomed robust health, and, with the exception of a few days' 
confinement from rheumatic fever, I enjoyed good health during 
my entire term of office as Governor. 

In November, 1861, occurred the Mason and Slidell affair, 
which pointed to a rupture between England and the North. 
Captain Wilkes, of the Federal steamer San Jacinto, brought to 
with a cannon-shot the British mail steamer Trent on the high 
seas, in the West India waters, and took forcibly from her decks 
Messrs. Mason and Slidell, Confederate commissioners to Euro- 
pean powers. The Northern masses received the news with the 
wildest delight, expecting a first-class hanging of traitors. There 
was still more joy, if possible, in the South, for we expected a 
war between England and the United States, which would have 
insured our speedy independence. In the British Isles the intel- 
ligence of the insult to their flag aroused a burst of indignant 
feeling, and her majesty's government was not slow to demand 
satisfaction. Meanwhile, the Lincoln governments^ had rati- 
fied and approved of Captain Wilkes' conduct, so far as the Navy 
Department and the House of Representatives were concerned. 
The British demand was the liberation of our envoys and a suit- 
able apology to her majesty's government, with only seven days 
for a compliance. 

5^ After the war was over, now and then some fellow would ask an 
explanation of why I treated him roughly on some stated occasion. I 
was generally able to satisfy him that there was no intention of doing 
him a personal wrong; that I was working for the general good; and if 
he was hard to satisfy I just left him to do his complaining with the re- 
mark: "Well, what are you going to do about it?" That generally 
settled the matter. At any rate I was never injured in any way by 
such malcontents. 

5s General Waul wrote me, December 28. 1861, on the Mason and Sli- 
dell affair: "If England does not compromise the matter the United 
States will back squarely down." 



LUBBOCK' 8 MEMOIRS. 375 



The growl of the British lion produced such trepidation in 
Yankeedom that the anticipated pleasure of hanging traitors 
vanished at once. Mr. Seward released the prisoners with al- 
most indecent haste, and made a most abject apology for the 
outrage. British moderation under the circumstances was won- 
derful, if not commendable. 

Near the close of 1861 it seemed as if peace and independence 
were close at hand, but in a short time the prospects began to 
darken. 

The capture of Roanoke Island was soon followed by the more 
serious disaster at Fort Donelson, which opened a way for the 
enemy to advance on Nashville. The Confederate authorities 
made herculean efforts to arrest the further progress of the en- 
emy southward. Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston was gathering a 
large army for a decisive battle in Tennessee. The Secretary of 
War, under date of February 24th, sent an order to General He- 
bert, in which he said : "Our recent disaster in Tennessee has 
greatly exposed our line of communication with the West, and 
the importance of this line is so great that it must be held at any 
sacrifice. You are therefore instructed at once to send forward 
to Little Rock, there to report to Ma j. -Gen. Earl Van Dorn, all 
the troops in your command for the defense of the coast, except 
such as are necessary to man your batteries. No invasion is 
deemed probable, but if any occurs, its effects must be hazarded, 
and our entire forces must be thrown toward the Mississippi for 
the defense of that river and of the Memphis & Charleston Rail- 
road." 

This order did not apply to the troops on the Rio Grande. 

Slowly and with apparent reluctance. General Hebert pro- 
ceeded, in compliance with Secretary Benjamin's order, to for- 
ward his troops to Arkansas. Failing to comprehend the mili- 
tary necessities of the Confederacy at large, the general felt mor- 
tified at the diversion of his best troops from the coast, and wrote 
me, in a letter dated San Antonio, August 28th : 

"When, nearly a year since, I assumed command of this de- 
partment, I immediately set to work to place it in a defensive 
position. This, I think, I was in a fair way of accomplishing 
when my best troops were ordered away. Our reverses at the 
time were no doubt a military justification of the orders issued, 



376 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



yet the effect has been to paralyze my efforts and strip me of 
means of defense. . . . Tired of remaining here and filling 
the position of general recruiting olBcer for other commands 
and departments, I have applied to Major-General Holmes, com- 
manding the Trans-Mississippi Department, to be assigned, in 
the coming campaign, to the command of the Texas regiments 
raised b}^ me, now in Arkansas, and whose commanding officers 
desire to be nnder me, from written and verbal communications. 
. . . In the meantime, I will stand at my post and do all I 
can to defend this department. Should the enemy land or in- 
vade from any quarter, he shall be fought in some way, and with 
success if we can only get him into the interior." ^^ 

General Hebert's complaints were unreasonable. Had he used 
his troops, or proposed to use them to any effective purpose while 
he had them, I could have better sympathized with him. It will 
be remembered that he did not propose to fight for Galveston 
when threatened with attack in ISTovember and December, 1861. 



^ ^ Hebert had already been superseded in the command of Texas, 
and was only awaiting the arrival of his successor. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 377 



CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE. 

Arrival of Col. Tom Lubbock's Remains at Houston— Funeral Obse- 
quies—Dearth of Arms— General McLeod — Memorial Services at 
Galveston — General Houston — Col. O. M. Roberts at Camp Lub- 
bock—Austin Ladies Meet and Adopt Resolutions of Sympathy for 
Their Sisters in New Orleans — Blockaders Off Aransas and Velasco — 
Galveston Threatened — Flags of Truce — Martial Law — General He- 
bert Preparing to Evacuate Galveston — Conference of Governors at 
Marshall; Its Work and Results. 

It had been my melancholy duty to announce to the Legisla- 
ture the deaths of Senator John Hemphill at Richmond, and of 
Colonel Terry, of the Texas Rangers (Eighth Cavalry) at Mum- 
fordville, Ky., and next came the distressing intelligence of the 
death of my beloved brother, T. S. Lubbock, Terry's successor in 
command of the rangers. 

"Quill," the Austin correspondent of the Telegraph, had this 
to say on the sad event : "The news of the death of Colonel Lub- 
bock reaching Austin this morning, January 23, 1862, it casts 
a gloom over the entire community and wrings the heart of the 
Governor almost to bursting. His bosom friend Terry has but 
been just laid in the grave, and now the manly, heroic brother 
has yielded up his life. These brave men have fought the good 
fight,— they have done all that man can do, given up their lives 
in defense of the country. No mortal can do more. Their mem- 
ories will live green in the heart of every son of the South. May 
God in His mercy deal gently with their loved ones on earth." 

I immediately set out for Houston, where I met the remains. 
They were brought to that city from New Orleans, and were 
escorted from the depot by Capt. D. M. McGregor's company of 
home guards, followed by his excellency F. R. Lubbock, Gov- 
ernor of the State, as chief mourner, and a large concourse of cit- 
izens in carriages and on horseback, the cortege moving forward 
to the sound of solemn music. The eyes of many an onlooker 
were wet with tears as the body passed up the street to Academy 
Square. 

Colonel Moore, as marshal, led the procession up Main Street. 
After religious services at Academy Square by the Rev. Mr. 



378 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Wagner, rector of Christ (Episcopal) Church, Hon. P. W. Gray- 
delivered a eulog3' eminently fitting the occasion and the man. 
The orator was at times almost too much affected to proceed. 
Indeed, all were affected, for all felt that they were engaged in 
the celebration of the last sad rites connected with the interment 
of the mortal form of a friend and true-hearted man, who had 
yielded up his life at the post of duty. 

On the conclusion of the eulogy the procession formed in the 
following order: Home Guard, as a military guard of honor; 
Holland Lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M. ; the body ; horse of the 
deceased, led by his body servant; mourners; Colonel Moore's 
regiment as military escort; ofSciating clergyman and orator; 
members of the clergy, judiciary, bar, and medical faculty ; may- 
ors and aldermen of Houston and Galveston ; Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows ; General Hebert and staff, detachments of vari- 
ous regiments and battalions of the Department of Texas; Col- 
onel Parson's regiment of cavalry bringing up the rear ; the whole 
proceeding to the Masonic Cemetery, where the body of Colonel 
Lubbock was laid to rest with befitting civic and military honors. 

A few days later the bodies of Senator John Hemphill and 
Gen. Hugh McLeod arrived by railway from New Orleans. They 
were received with distinguished honors by the military and the 
citizens. After lying in state in Turner Hall for a few hours 
the bodies were forwarded to Austin for interment. 

"Quill," in the Telegraph of February 10, 1862, gives the fol- 
lowing account of the burial of the distinguished dead at Austin: 
"The bodies of Judge Hemphill and General McLeod arrived iu 
Austin on last Friday, just at night. They laid in state until 
the evening of Saturday, when the burial took place. Although 
the day was wet and cold, almost the whole population turned out 
to do honor to the distinguished dead, — the true statesman and 
the gallant and chivalrous warrior. Business was suspended; 
military companies, judiciary, bar. Masonic fraternity, all joined 
in the procession. The bodies were deposited in the State burial 
ground, where lie the remains of Burleson, Lipscomb, Britton, 
and Walker." 

In compliance with an order from the War Department, on 
February 26th I issued a call for fifteen regiments of infantry, 
stating in my proclamation that unless that call was complied 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 379 



with and the quota of Texas furnished, a draft would be resorted 
to. As so many troops had left the State without reporting to 
the Adjutant-General, it was impossible to know exactly how 
many regiments would be required to fill the quota of Texas, and 
the matter was somewhat delayed on that account. 

Then the conscript act was passed, providing for the enroll- 
ment in the Confederate service for three years, or for the war, 
"all white men who are residents of the Confederate States, be- 
tween the ages of eighteen and thirty-five years at the time the 
call or calls may be made, who are not legally exempt from mili- 
tary service."' 

May 7th I issued another proclamation reciting the above, and 
concluding with this exhortation : 

"Great is the peril to our beloved country ! Now in this, her 
day of agony and trial, she looks to her children to defend her. 
Will you come forward promptly and willingly to shield her, 
or will you wait, Tcxans, to be dragged to the field by a draft, 
or a conscription, or the fear of both? 

"Come, then, at once in companies, squads, or singly, to the 
different camps established in the State, at Houston, Hempstead, 
Tyler, Victoria, San Antonio, Austin, Bonham, and near Bren- 
ham. These camps are now provided with the ordinary neces- 
saries of life, and men fighting for existence must not expect to 
be fed on luxuries. . . . This is the last opportunity that 
will be given to the citizens to choose their own service and offi- 
cers. After this they will be enrolled and placed at once in the 
Confederate service." 

A crisis was upon us, and evidently it would require strong, 
concerted action to stay the tide of invasion ; and I gave honest 
warning to the people that even the oldest among those capable 
of bearing arms might be soon called out to defend their homes. 

The men responded rapidly to the demands of their country, 
and in a few months the fifteen regiments were made up; but 
the greatest difficulty was in getting arms and equipments. 
Various suggestions were made as to some available substitute 
for the ordinary weapons of the modern soldier. The lance, the 
claymore, and the bowieknife had each its advocates. 

Importations of arms and munitions of war reached us occa- 
sionally through blockade runners or from across the Rio Grande, 



380 LUBBOCICS MEMOIRS. 



and some were coming in from home manufactories. But. from 
all these sources, the supply was insufhcient to meet the appalling 
demands. Col. G. W. Carter's cavalr}^ regiment first thought of 
arming with lances in lieu of something better; and the Legis- 
lature provided for a regiment of Mexican lancers on our side of 
the Eio Grande, but the scheme never materialized. The State 
arms collected by the chief justices of the various counties were 
of the crudest description and almost worthless for a soldier hav- 
ing to fight against the best armed troops in the world. 

And this lack of arms and munitions of war being general over 
the Confederacy, it should never be left out of calculation in con- 
sidering the battles of the civil war. Other things being equal, 
the best equipped armies always win. 

Believing that my presence on the coast would have a bene- 
ficial effect, I left the capital and proceeded to Galveston, and 
there, on March 1, 1862, participated in memorial services in 
honor of the memory of the late Gen. Hugh McLeod. There was 
a fine display of the military and a large concourse of civilians. 
Hon. M. S. Munson delivered a most eloquent eulogy on the vir- 
tues of the deceased patriot. Then followed addresses by General 
Hebert and myself, and a grand review of the troops, about 
3000 strong, well disciplined, and presenting quite a martial ap- 
pearance. 

I made a speech the next day at the Tremont, explaining the 
true meaning of my so-called "burning letter" to General Hebert, 
and complimenting the authorities and citizens on their prepara- 
tions and the prospects for a successful defense of the island. 
Besides this, during my stay, I had the honor of two serenades. 
I went away exceedingly gratified at the improved state of public 
spirit everywhere manifest, and I entertained the hope that the 
Federal invaders would meet with a stout resistance on Galveston 
Island. 

On my return I stopped over at Houston and visited the camp 
of Moore's regiment, in the vicinity. There I had the unexpected 
pleasure of meeting General Houston. The Telegraph of the 6th 
gives the following account of an incident that occurred during 
my visit to the camp : 

"Governor Lubbock and General Houston happening to be at 
the camp of Moore's regiment last Saturday afternoon, the Gov- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 381 



ernor M^as called upon for a speech. He made a brief speech, in 
his usual felicitous style, urging the soldiers to guard well the 
honor of the State and do their duty manfully in the field. 

"General Houston was then called upon for an address. He 
indorsed everything the Governor had said. He observed that 
he had differed with many of them in the beginning of the diffi- 
culties, but we were now in for it, and all his feelings and inter- 
ests were bound up in the success of our cause. He was too infirm 
by reason of his old wound to go into the campaign himself ; but 
he offered up his only son old enough to fight (Sam Houston, 
Jr., of Ashbel Smith's compan}^, Moore's regiment) to the cause 
of his country. He complimented the men on their soldierly ap- 
pearance and urged them to fight bravely for their liberties. He 
alluded to the atrocities of the enemy, and animadverted in se- 
vere terms upon theii conduct. The general's speech was re- 
ceived with loud cheers, which fact must have shown him that, 
however much the people may have disliked his course at times, 
he has yet, personally, a warm place in their affections." 

x4.nticipating an invasion of the State, and the Confederate 
government having ordered all of the available troops to leave 
the coast, I deemed it advisable to organize a small force to act 
as scouts and spies in the counties bordering on the gulf and 
accessible streams. I authorized the brigadier-generals of certain 
brigades to organize in each of such counties a company of 
twenty-five men, to be sworn in for the war, to furnish their own 
horses, arms, and subsistence, to be at all times subject to the 
control of the brigadier-generals. They were, when necessary, to 
aid in driving the stock of the citizens beyond the reach of the 
enemy, to see that negroes and other property of the people did 
not fall into the hands of the blockaders, and generally to per- 
form such duty as the brigadier-generals might require of them. 
They were to receive no pay from the State; the only immunity 
accorded them for such service was relief from any other mili- 
tary duty. I considered it a good and necessary arrangement 
for the State. After the passage of the conscript act by the Con- 
federate Congress, April 15, 1862, and complaint having been 
made that these companies were useless and should be forced into 
the army, I wrote a letter to General Hebert, in which I said: 
"I know that several of them have rendered valuable service. The 



382 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Confederate oificers, with my consent, have employed some of 
these companies, as they inform me, to great advantage. They 
have at all times been ready to perform any service when called 
upon by Confederate officers. In justice to the men composing 
this organization, I will state that they were sworn into service 
long before the passage of the conscript laws. It can not, there- 
fore, be charged that they sought this service to avoid conscrip- 
tion." 

Chief Justice 0. M. Roberts, of the Supreme Court, had re- 
signed his position on the bench to enter the military service of 
the State. Colonel Eoberts had been commissioned to raise a 
regiment of infantry, a branch of the service repugnant to 
Texans, the best horsemen in the world, and better adapted to 
the cavalry arm. His headquarters at this time were at Camp 
Lubbock, a few miles above Houston, on the bayou. His high 
character and patriotism gave him phenomenal success, and by 
spring he had raised twenty-two companies, mostly from the 
northeastern counties. In response to General Hebert's inquiry, 
"Can you aid me at Galveston in an emergenc}'' ?" Colonel Eob- 
erts promptly replied : "I will come on call, at once, with my 
whole force." The emergency did not arise, but doubtless General 
Hebert felt more comfortable after the reception of this assur- 
ance of support. Colonel Eoberts broke camp in May, march- 
ing to Tyler with his own regiment and five companies that went 
into Colonel Hubbard's regiment. 

The battle of Shiloh was a great victory for our cause, but its 
effect was neutralized in a great measure by the death of Gen. 
Albert Sidney Johnston and the reverse that our arms sustained 
the following day, April 7th, caused by the overwhelming rein- 
forcements of the enemy. A few weeks later followed the sur- 
render of New Orleans, and it seemed to many that the Con- 
federacy was about to collapse. 

I did not share this feeling, but thought that success was 
within our grasp, if we would only prove ourselves worthy of in- 
dependence by heroic sacrifice. 

These successive Confederate defeats, unduly exaggerated as 
they were by our enemies, encouraged the expression of disloyal 
sentiments at Austin and elsewhere which had to be suppressed 
subsequently by the strong arm of the military. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 383 



Newspapers containing reprints of Butler's infamous order 
(No. 28), respecting the ladies of New Orleans, reached Austin 
about this time. This order, had the rest of his career been 
blameless, instead of being almost equally meretricious, would 
have justified the designation "Beast" that seems to be linked 
inseparably to his name. A meeting of the ladies was held at 
once to express sympathy for their sisters of New Orleans. Suit- 
able resolutions were adopted, and these were forwarded to 
the mayor of New Orleans. Chief Justice Wheeler, Bishop 
Gregg, and myself addressed the meeting, cordially approving 
the action taken, and encouraging the ladies in this and every 
good work of tender sympathy and devotion to their country. 

Late in February a vexatious little affair occurred near Camp 
Aransas on the coast. Unexpectedly one afternoon the Federals 
appeared in that vicinity with two launches and captured a sloop 
bound for Corpus Christi, and took from her a quantity of medi- 
cines and other articles designed for the government. Capt. B. 
F. Neal, in charge of the camp, ordered out his company, and, 
pursuing, exchanged several shots with the launches, and drove 
them back to the ships. 

Somewhat chagrined at their escape. Captain Neal reported: 
"The enemy is becoming quite bold and daring, and will destroy 
the commerce of these bays unless checked in his buccaneering. 
. . . They have the advantage of us, possessing better boats 
and being more accustomed to them than we are." 

This gallant officer had two six-pounders but no powder, at 
which he bitterly complained. This was an illustration of our 
disadvantages in the war. 

In April, Colonel Bates, at Velasco, reported that a large 
steamer anchored off San Luis Pass the day before, displaying 
an English flag, a Confederate ensign, and what appeared from 
the shore to be a white flag. He said that Lieut. 0. W. Edwards, 
with seven men, and Mr. Alexander Follett, a citizen in that 
vicinity, were decoyed aboard the vessel and held as prisoners, 
and that when night came on a party of the enemy, in Edwards' 
boat, passed our battery on San Luis Island, and captured and 
burned the schooner Columbia (in the rear of the island), laden 
with cotton. "Finally," said he, "owing to disobedience of Major 



384 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Perr3-"s orders by Captain Ballowe, the enemy escaped to their 
ship, without loss." Several shots were then exchanged with the 
Federal steamer, but without effect. The captured crew and pas- 
sengers of the Columbia were put ashore, after which the steamer 
stood out to sea. 

An attack on Galveston had been for some time apprehended, 
and on May 14th Col. Jos. J. Cook, the commandant there, in- 
dicated (in special order No. 47 to Lieut.-Col. Manly, of the 
artillery), a disposition to abandon the island on the approach of "^ 
the enemy. This order directed all commanders of batteries to 
make every arrangement to spike the guns of their batteries, de- 
stroy the works and gun carriages by fire, and fall back to the 
Houston & Galveston Railroad depot in good order, and there 
await further orders. 

The next day the Federal schooner Sam Houston made a 
demonstration, coming within a mile of the shore, but, being fired 
upon by Captain Schneider's battery, quickly turned about and 
drew off. 

May 17th Capt. Henry Eagle, of the Santee, commanding the 
United States naval forces off Galveston, dispatched the follow- 
ing, under a flag of truce, to the military commandant of the 
Confederate States forces at Galveston : "Sir : In a few days 
the naval and land forces of the United States government will 
appear off the town of Galveston to enforce its surrender. To 
prevent the effusion of blood and destruction of property which 
would result from the bombardment of your town, I hereby de- 
mand the surrender of the place, with its fortifications and all 
batteries in its vicinity, with all arms and munitions of war." 

Colonel Cook^'^ immediately forwarded the enemy's note to 
General Hebert, at Houston, for answer within twenty-four 
hours. General Hebert replied the same day to Colonel Cook, 
as follows : "Will send answer in the morning. In the mean- 
time, prepare quietly to evacuate in the event of an overwhelming 
force making its appearance to bombard, as threatens;" and 
that night sent him the following order: "The company at 
Pelican Spit should be removed quietly Spike the gun. Act 
so that the enemy's attention will not be called to your move. Call 

^''Colonel Cook and Captain Eagle were old friends and classmates 
at college, and had been together four years at sea. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 385 



upon the president of the railroad. Let there be no excitement. 
Let the flag stand at spit. Don't burn anything, for the present, 
to excite attention of the enemy." 

On the 19th Colonel Cook thus addressed General Hebert: 
"I communicated to the commander of the frigate yesterday that 
the proper time for an answer to his demand will be when the 
land and naval forces referred to shall have arrived, and such an 
answer will then be given. This morning she has up a white flag, 
and I have sent out one. I am making the preparations advised, 
as well as I can." 

Captain Chubb was sent out in the Eoyal Yacht and met the 
Federal flag of truce (coming in a ship's boat) midway, in full 
view of all. The flag was brought out by a midshipman and a 
smart crew of Yankee tars. As the boat came near, pTopelled 
through the water with lusty strokes, the Federal sailors looked 
up, recognized Chubb, and exclaimed: "Why, there's Captain 
Chubb!" "Yes," replied the captain, "this is Captain Chubb, 
that was hung for a pirate, and this," pointing to the boat, "is 
the Eoyal Yacht that was burned and sunk — all as good as new." 
The Federal midshipman was helped aboard by the captain, but 
was evidently much embarrassed at the sight of Chubb and the 
Yacht, both thought by the Federals, until that time, to have 
been safely stowed away in Davy Jones' locker. 

Later Colonel Manly, under a flag of truce, met a Federal 
officer (Lieutenant Hart), who handed him his card with great 
formality. In reply, Colonel Manly, after fumbling in his 
pockets a few moments, dryly remarked : "We don't use cards in 
our service, and I have not a piece of paper large enough to write 
my name upon; so you must allow me to introduce myself by 
word of mouth," which he did with a kind of mock gravity. 

The Yankee wished to return with C*olonel Manly to Galveston, 
but he' was informed that this would not be permitted except on 
the condition of his being blindfolded. The officer, not being 
willing to submit to this requirement, went back to his ship. 

Colonel Manly brought in only a dispatch from Captain Eagle 
to the foreign consuls, and nothing for Colonel Cook. 

Captain Eagle's note to the consuls was dated May 19th, and 
contained the following : 



25 



386 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



"... This demand [for the surrender of Galveston. — 
Ed.] having been refused, I have the honor to inform you that 
four da3's will be allowed you from this date in which to remove 
your families and property.'' 

The foreign consuls asked that some place of safety be desig- 
nated to which they might retire with their families, and sug- 
gested the Catholic convent in the city. To this reasonable re- 
quest Captain Eagle replied : "It is not in my power to give you 
any assurance of security during the bombardment, for it is im- 
possible to tell what direction the shot and shell will take." 

"There is to be no surrender under any circumstances," said 
General Hebert in one of his dispatches. "There may be, how- 
ever, an abandonment, in the face of a superior force (but noth- 
ing else), when it would be folly to attempt resistance." 

I was in Houston at this time, and, to meet this emergency, I 
ordered General Howard, of the State troops, to muster into im- 
mediate service every citizen subject to military duty, and to co- 
operate with the Confederate States commanding officer at Gal- 
veston. A few hundred recruits were obtained opportunely by 
this order. 

The laboring men, though offered large pay, refused to help 
remove the coal from Galveston Island, whereupon Colonel Cooke 
informed General Hebert, and advised the declaration of martial 
law as the proper remedy. 

In quick response was issued Order No. 41, declaring martial 
law in Galveston and the neighboring coast counties. 

This stringent measure had a good effect. There was no more 
turbulence. Maj. J. C. Massie, the provost marshal, called the 
citizens together at the courthouse, explained the situation, and 
stated that all citizens between the ages of 18 and 55 must be en- 
rolled under the order of General Hebert, and that all between 
the ages of 35 and 50 must be enrolled under my order, issued 
through my aide, Col. J. H. Herndon. It was further announced 
that all the cattle, mules, horses, and surplus provisions must be 
removed from the island, and that transportation would be fur- 
nished, on cars and boats, to points on the mainland, for women, 
children, and other noncombatants. The exodus now began in 
earnest, some on trains and others on the boats Diana, Carr, and 
Euthven. Bv virtue of the enforcement of General Hebert's 



LUBBOCK- S MEMOIRS. 387 



and my orders the bulk of the fighting population, amounting to 
several hundred, were added to the army by the enrolling officer, 
Lieut. Thos. Cocke. Meanwhile the cavalry were scouring the 
island for cattle, estimated at about 6000 head, and commissary 
agents searching for surplus provisions. All the alien^** residents 
who procured protection papers from their respective consuls 
were excused from military duty in supposed compliance to the 
demands of international law; but we later learned and were on 
subsequent occasions guided by the rule in fact prescribed by the 
Jus gentium, viz. : That aliens are liable to military duty in a 
levy en masse to repel invasion, but not to enrollment as soldiers 
for ordinary duty. 

While executing his orders for the removal of property. Provost 
Marshal Massie wrote the Telegraph : "I am moving heaven and 
earth to get everything away. After a few more days the enemy 
can have all that is left; and if they can make much use of it, 
they may have my head for a football." About 5000 head of cat- 
tle were taken off to the mainland. 

The refugees from Galveston were mostly poor and in need of 
assistance. Of course, they had the popular sympathy, and con- 
tributions were freely made in their behalf at Houston, Colum- 
bia, and other places of refuge; but system was needed in the 
good work. 1 therefore issued a proclamation setting forth their 
destitute condition and calling on the various counties to make 
donations to the unfortunates through their county courts. In 
this way their wants were in a great measure relieved. 

State Treasurer Randolph donated, as representative of the 
Government Officers' Fund Association, $1000, and sent it to 
T. W. House, mayor of Houston, "for the benefit of such of the 
poor as may remove from Galveston Island." 

A considerable military force had been gathered on the island, 
and, under the skillful direction of Colonel Cooke, the prepara- 
tions for resistance were completed. Besides this. General Hebert 
held the Tenth brigade. State troops, at Houston, to reinforce at 

«9 According to the Telegraph of July — , 1862, 298 aliens claimed ex- 
emption from military service and applied to their respective consuls 
for protection papers. There were some notable exceptions to this 
"shirking" |on the part of aliens, especially among the Germans and 
British; and they did good service at every crisis on the island. 



388 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



a moment's notice. The Yankees, advised of these dispositions, 
failed to attack, and were forced to content themselves with a 
sullen maintenance of the blockade. 

While this holding of the foe at bay and forcing them to allow 
their threats of an attack on the city to pass unredeemed was a 
source of gratification to the military authorities and people, the 
glorious Fourth of July did not bring the old-time hilarity on 
the island, as there were seven Yankee blockaders in sight to cut 
off our supplies from abroad, and add to our discomfort gen- 
erally. 

A man deserted with a skiff that night and was seen approach- 
ing the Santee next morning. It was the notorious "Nicaragua" 
Smith, of whom more hereafter. 

At every accessible point along our entire coast the Yankees 
had light draft vessels, with launches, cruising about and pick- 
ing up our little craft and friendly blockade runners. Sometimes 
raiding parties would land and commit depredations, destroying 
property and killing or kidnaping citizens. 

In June, 1862, the Mississippi Eiver was virtually in posses- 
sion of the enemy, and the imj^ression was entertained in some 
quarters outside of Texas that the Confederate authorities were 
neglecting and abandoning the portion of the Confederacy west 
of that river. While I and others in this State believed such im- 
pression to be unjust, and that the Confederate government 
neither intended nor desired to neglect the Trans-Mississippi 
States, and that any apparent want of attention to our necessities 
had arisen from its inability at the time to guard against it, 
Governor Rector, of Arkansas, laboring under a misapprehension 
of facts, issued a proclamation, in which he said : 

"Untoward events have placed Arkansas beyond the pale of 
protection. IMuoh impaired, although not incapable of resistance, 
she will strike a blow for liberty and continue to be free. If left 
to her fate, she will carve a new destiny rather than be subju- 
gated. It was for liberty she struck, and not for subordination to 
any created secondary power, North or South. Her best friends 
are her natural allies nearest at home, who will pulsate when she 
bleeds, whose utmost hope is not beyond her existence. If the 
arteries of the Confederate heart do not penetrate beyond the 
east bank of the Mississippi, let Southern Missourians, Ar- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 389 



kansans, Texans, and the great West know it and prepare for the 
futiire. Arkansas lost, abandoned, subjugated, is not Arkansas 
as she entered the Confederate government. jSTor will she remain 
Arkansas a Confederate State, desolated as a wilderness. Her 
children, fleeing from the wrath to come, will build them a new 
ark and launch it on new waters, and seek a haven, somewhere, of 
equality, safety, and rest. Be of good cheer, my countrymen; 
there is still a balm in Gilead ; the good Samaritan will be found. 
Strike now and ever for your homes and liberty against all men 
who invade the one or dispute the other." 

This proclamation reached the ears of the government at Eich- 
mond, and created considerable momentary uneasiness. To allay 
this I wrote unofficially to j\Ir. Davis, under date of June 27, 
1862: 

"My friend. Judge Gray, did me but simple justice when he 
assured you that I would be found, together with the people of 
Texas, true and firm in the support of the Southern Confederacy. 

"This is no time for bickerings, heart-burnings, and divisions 
among a people struggling for existence as a free government. 

"I have given a letter of introduction to Col. Chas. De Morse. 
I meant all I said in the letter, and trust you may be able to grant 
his request. 

"He, as editor of the Clarksville Standard, a paper established 
by him many years ago, utterly demolished Eeetor's proclama- 
tion. 

'Tjet me assure you that you need give yourself no uneasiness 
in regard to it. If Governor Rector is wrong, when I see him 
I shall endeavor to get him right. Governor Moore I am satis- 
fied is a patriot, and will stand square up. 

"You can rely on my fealty and devotion to the cause of the 
eiitire South." 

As a result of this letter, Maj. Guy ]\I. Bryan came to me, at 
the instance of President Davis, early in July, and suggested the 
propriety of calling a conference of the Governors of Arkansas, 
Louisiana, Missouri, and Texas, to meet at Marshall, Texas, for 
the purpose of suggesting plans for the defense of the States west 
of the Mississippi River, asking the adoption of such measures 
by the Confederate government as might be deemed necessary 



390 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



and practicable, and taking such other action as might be de- 
cided upon as advisable. 

I heartily concurred with Mr. Bryan, and at once indited let- 
ters to the Governors of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Missouri, in- 
viting them to meet with me at Marshall on the 30th of July, or 
as soon thereafter as possible, for the accomplishment of the pur- 
poses above enumerated. 

These letters I turned over to Major Bryan, who delivered 
them in due time to the gentlemen to whom they were addressed. 

C. S. West, Secretary of State, accompanied me in my buggy 
on this journey of about 300 miles to Marshall. On the way we 
had the opportunity of speaking words of cheer to the people, 
informing them that the object of our visit to that place was to 
put the country on a better war footing.*"* 

Governor Moore, of Louisiana, was prevented from being pres- 
ent by reason of the invasion of that State. I, however, had the 
honor and great gratification of meeting Governor Claiborne F. 
Jackson, of Missouri, than whom no more zealous, indefatigable, 
and true-hearted patriot existed. God in his inscrutable provi- 
dence later called him from his sphere of usefulness ; and, while 
we bowed with submission to the divine decree, we could but 
mourn his loss. 

Governor Jackson and myself prepared the necessary papers 
and forwarded them to Governors Moore and Rector, who most 
fully endorsed all that we had done, and affixed their signatures 
to the papers. These in due time were delivered to President 
Davis by Maj. Guy M. Bryan, then an aide-de-camp to Gen. P. 0. 
Hebert. In all this business much was due to him for the good 
that resulted from our consultation. 

^" The Texas Republican of July 2(5, 1862, thus notices the arrival of 
the Governors: 

" Governor Jackson and Governor Lubbock 'nave reached here. On 
Wednesday evening Hon. Guy M. Bryan, who has taken great interest 
in this proposed interview, and who contributed his aid to bring it 
about, arrived from Little Rock, which place he left last Saturday 
morning. Governor Rector, of Arkansas, can not attend in consequence 
of domestic affliction (one of his children being dangerously ill), but has 
promised his hearty co-operation in any measures that may be adopted 
for counsel or defense. Governor Moore, of Louisiana, is expected, but 
has not arrived. This meeting is pregnant, we are fain to believe, with 
important results. " 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 391 



We addressed a letter to President Davis in which we said, in 
part: 

"The events of the past three months have clearly disclosed 
that to properly defend the States west of the river three things 
are absolutely indispensable; without them we can not use our 
strength nor fully develop the mighty power of resistance that is 
in our midst. 

"First. We should have a commanding general having terri- 
torial jurisdiction over all the States west of the Mississippi 
Eiver. 

"Second. We must have money for the support of the army. 

"Third. We must have arms and also ammunition, if it can 
be spared ; but arms we are compelled to have. 

"The method pursued, since the loss of the Mississippi, of 
sending special messengers to Eichmond for money, has not only 
been attended with great risk and expense, but the transportation 
of such messengers, if the system should be continued, will cost 
the government more than the establishment and support of a 
branch of the treasury department. We do not deem it neces- 
sary to enlarge on the absolute necessity of a measure when it 
seems so obvious. 

"Our soldiers are withoiit their pay, and in some instances dis- 
satisfied. This dissatisfaction has been carried so far in some 
cases as to amount to mutiny. The government has contracted 
heavy debts and is daily contracting more. In order that the 
faith of the people and of the soldiers in the government may not 
be shaken, it should provide means for the sjoeedy payment of its 
soldiers and its creditors. If there is no power under present 
legislation to establish such a branch of the treasury, then we 
would suggest that the attention of the Congress soon to meet 
be called at once to the matter so that this want may be remedied. 

"There is a most distressing want of small arms on this side 
of the river. There are at this time many regiments and organ- 
ized bodies of soldiers who have been idle in camp at an enormous 
expense to the government for six months past, and all for the 
want of arms. If 20,000 or 30,000 stand of small arms could be 
sent across the river, we feel satisfied that in two months after 
their arrival we would have an army of 50,000 men in the field, 
and are sanguine that with an abundance of funds and an able 



392 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



commander, the number could be increased even beyond that 
amount. 

"We can assure you that it is the fixed and unalterable purpose 
of the States of Arkansas^ Louisiana, and Texas, and the brave 
and loyal sons of Missouri, whose hearts are in our cause, to sus- 
tain with all their power the Confederate government, and, at all 
hazards, to offer a stubborn resistance to the enemy at every 
point. All that we desire is that you send us a cool and able head 
to direct our military oj^erations, provide the funds necessary to 
support the arm}^, and the arms to put into the hands of our citi- 
zens, and then we will endeavor to deal with the enemy on this 
side of the river as successfully as you have done upon the James 
and the Chickahoniiny." 

By the same messenger who conveyed the formal communica- 
tion of the Governors I sent a personal letter to President Davis, 
in which I said : "Colonel Bryan can explain to you more fully 
than I can write the situation of the country, and the great im- 
portance of acting at once in the premises." And also a letter 
to our senators and representatives in Congress, in which I said 
in part : 

"Nothing said to the President has been over-colored. The 
fact is, our soldiers have been suffering for months. A large 
portion of the men in the field are poor and with families. They 
have abandoned business, many of them leaving their affairs in 
a most deplorable condition, so that even the mere pittance al- 
lowed them by the government would go, in many cases, far to 
relieve the wants of those they leave behind. Instances are fre- 
quent of wives of soldiers in the service being compelled to sacri- 
fice property in order to pay their taxes, whilst the government 
is indebted to their husbands for services in the army. These 
things should not be. 

"The same may be said of citizens who have sold property to 
the government, and of mechanics who have labored for quarter- 
masters, commissaries, etc. A remedy should at once be found 
for these evils. It is necessary in order to give our people confi- 
dence in the government. To do this, it will be necessary, it will 
be imperatively necessary, that a fiscal agent, branch of the 
treasury, or some other plan be adopted whereby the department 
west of the Mississippi can be constantly supplied with adequate 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 393 



means for its support. Scare a clay passes that we do not see and 
hear of colonels, agents, and others running to Kichmond after 
funds. Eegiments, battalions, and companies are detained for 
months after their organization for means required to move 
them. This must all be attended with most ruinous expense to 
the government, and injury to our cause. 

"A general, cool, brave, energetic, and with the ability to com- 
mand our vast country, should be immediately sent here. There 
should be but one head, with ample power to control all of the 
territory west of the Mississippi, including jurisdiction over all 
of the sub-military districts, and he should be fully authorized 
to do all things connected with the defense of the country. 

"If these suggestions are acted upon promptly, and the gov- 
ernment could send us an additional supply of small arms, even 
though they be the arms that have been laid aside for better ones, 
I feel assured in saying that we can furnish a good fighting man 
for every gun so sent in addition to those now armed and in the 
service, and that we can preserve and keep safe our territory for 
the Confederacy. You can rest assured, gentlemen, and so say 
to the President, that since my occupation of the executive chair 
every exertion has been made on my part to sustain his adminis- 
tration and the cause of the Confederacy ; that I have no other de- 
sire than to see the government prosperous and successful, and 
nothing that I can do to sustain the Confederate authorities shall 
be omitted. 

"Colonel Bryan has kindly consented to bear our letters, and 
I trust with your assistance his mission may prove entirely suc- 
cessful. You may fully confer with Colonel B. He has been 
present during our interviews, and understands well the points 
we wish to make, and can give you much valuable information 
as to the condition of things generally.'"^^ 

The following are extracts from the address that Governors C. 
F. Jackson, Thos. 0. Moore, H. M. Eector, and myself issued to 
the citizens and soldiers of the States of Missouri, Arkansas, 
Louisiana, and Texas : 

"We, your Governors, have deemed it our duty freely to con- 
fer with one another for our common good and for the alvance- 
ment of the sacred cause of the Confederacy, — a cause that in- 

6 1 The above letter was written at Marshall. 



394 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



volves not only the permanent prosperity of the States concerned, 
but the preservation on this continent of the rights of self-gov- 
ernment bequeathed to us by our forefathers. . . . 
. "We have every confidence in the Confederate authorities. We 
believe that they will fully sustain the credit of the government 
here, and provide amply for our future defense. But in order 
that they may be able thus to defend us, it behooves us all to be at 
work. Let every firearm be repaired, and every gunsmith and 
every worker in iron, and every mechanic be employed in fashion- 
ing the material of war. Let the women sit day by day at the 
spinning-wheel and the loom, and with the needle, never weary 
in preparing the necessary articles of clothing for the brave sol- 
diers of our States who stand between them and infamy and 
misery as an impassable bulwark in our cause. Let all the war- 
like resources of these great States be brought to light. It is for 
liberty and life we fight; and a good God has given us in this 
fair land all the material that brave men need to defend their 
homes and honor. . . . 

"As to the final results, fellow-citizens, judging by the his- 
tory of the past eighteen months, can you doubt it ? 

"Except on the coast and on our rivers, at points easily as- 
sailed by gunboats, we have had no cause to complain of the re- 
sult. Witness Bethel, Manassas, Oak Hill, Lexington, Lees- 
burg, Belmont, Shiloh, and Chickahominy. Our soldiers have 
shown on every field a desperate valor that has wrung reluctant 
plaudits from our foes. Whenever ordered to advance, they have 
done so regardless of the danger, and at the word of command. 

"With such soldiers and such incentives to action, and with 
all present causes of complaint in the course of speedy removal, 
we again say to you, be of good cheer. There is everything to 
encourage us, and you may rest assured that it is our fixed and 
unalterable purpose to contest every inch of ground with the en- 
emy, and, judging you by your past patriotism, we shall most con- 
fidently rely on you for your hearty and earnest co-operation. 

"Be firm, true, hopeful, and resolute, and a just God will help 
and protect, whilst brave hearts will fight and die. 

"Submission, or subjugation, places the feet of the oppressor 
upon your necks, yields up your noble women to Butlers, and de- 
grades or drives into exile your children. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 395 



"A people united and determined to be free can never be con- 
quered. Eemember this. Gird on your swords, shoulder your 
rifles, and be ready for the word of command when given by the 
government of our choice and affection." 

Our meeting quieted the little unrest felt, and gave us more 
strength for the next two years' conflict. 

Colonel Bryan did faithful service both as a counselor and as 
a messenger. He traveled thousands of miles by every mode of 
conveyance to bear dispatches, never failing until this conference 
at Marshall brought favorable results in restored confidence, in 
the appointment of a chief with enlarged discretionary powers, 
and the establishment of a fiscal agency for the Trans-Mississippi 
Department. But as for the arms and ammunition, we had to 
do the best we could for ourselves. That the best was so bad, so 
insufficient for the pressing necessities of the country, will make 
an important chapter in the truthful history that relates how 
brave and true patriots in defense of their rights were finally 
forced to surrender. 



396 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



CHAPTEE TWENTY-TWO. 

Letter from General Hebert — General Sibley's Expedition to New Mex- 
ico — El Easo — March Up the Rio Grande — Battle of Valverde — 
Official Reports — Socorro and Albuquerque — Occupation of Santa 
Fe — Battle of Glorieta — Retreat — Peralto — Terrible March Across 
the Jornada — Return to San Antonio — Sibley's Final Report — 
Reiley's Mission to Chihuahua. 

On my return to Austin I found a letter from General Hebert, 
excusing himself for not attending the conference at Marshall, 
as he had promised me to do, and sa3dng : "The enemy's demon- 
stration at Corpus Christi, since realized by actual landing and 
bombardment ; the reports of disloyalty in certain counties, since 
proved well founded by armed resistance to our troops ; the evac- 
uation of ISFew Mexico and Arizona by General Sibley, leaving 
our northwest posts exposed, and the arrival of his command, 
with other matters, made my presence here absolutely necessary 
about the time I should have been absent. Futhermore, I had 
some faint fears that the result of the conference might have in- 
volved the taking of more troops from this State." 

Always on the alert for disaster, the general adds : "Colonel 
Carleton with his California troops, or a portion of them, has no 
doubt ere this occupied Fort Bliss, an intercepted dispatch of his 
showing this to be his intention. Our line of forts will have to be 
abandoned to Fort Clark." 

General Sibley had been a United States officer in New Mexico, 
and was presumably familiar with the country and people. After 
his resignation from the United States army he repaired to Eich- 
mond, and at his solicitation obtained authority to organize an 
expedition in Texas for the conquest of New Mexico. Thus, 
while Col. John E. Baylor was conquering Arizona Territory in 
the summer of 1861, Sibley was busy raising a brigade to occupy 
Santa Fe. Gov. Ed Clark heartily co-operated with General Sib- 
ley, but owing to unavoidable delays caused by scarcity of arms 
and accoutrements, the expedition did not get ready before win- 
ter. The dreary stretch of 700 miles through Western Texas to 
El Paso could yield no supplies to troops marching across it. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 397 



therefore the brigade moved ofE from San Antonio by regiments, 
with intervals of a week or more in starting. It was made up 
of the Second, Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh regiments of mounted 
volunteers, and Teel's battery of artillery. 

General Sibley and staflE"'^ reported at El Paso about the mid- 
dle of December. Sibley's brigade and the forces under General 
Baylor were united early in January at Fort Thorn, New Mexico, 
and the headquarters selected, General Sibley assuming command 
of the whole. It was while the Confederate army of New Mexico 
and Arizona was concentrating for an advance upon Fort Craig l/ 
that Colonel Eeiley was dispatched upon a diplomatic mission to 
Chihuahua. 

"It is due to the brave soldiers I have had the honor to' C9m- 
mand," afterwards reported General Sibley, "to premise that, 
from its first inception, the Sibley brigade has encountered dif- 
ficulties in its organization, and opposition and distaste to the 
service required at its hands, which no other troops have met 
with. From misunderstandings, accidents, deficiency of arms, 
etc., instead of reaching the field of its operations early in Sep- 
tember, as was anticipated, I found myself at this point (Fort 
Thorn) as late as the middle of January, 1863, with only two 
regiments and a half, poorly armed, thinly clad, and almost des- 
titute of blankets. The ranks were becoming daily thinned by 
those two terrible scourges to an army — smallpox and pneu- 
monia. Not a dollar of quartermaster's funds was on hand, or 
ever had been, to supply the daily and pressing necessities of the 
service, and the small means of this sparse section had been long 
consumed by the force under the command of Lieutenant-Col- 
onel Baylor, so that the credit of the government was not as avail- 
able a resource as it might otherwise have been." 

Moving up the Rio Grande, and finally crossing that stream. 
General Sibley made a reconnoissanee, February 16th, in force, 
on Fort Craig. Then, convinced of the futility of attacking Gen- 
eral Canby's larger army, firmly entrenched at that point, he 
slowly withdrew his troops to the left bank of the river, hoping 

«8 Major A. M. Jackson, A. A. G. : Captain R. M. Browning, A. Q. 
M.; Captain Griffin, commissary; Dr. Coroy, brigade surgeon; Major 
W. L. Robards, aide-de-camp: Thomas P. Ocliiltree and Joseph E. 
Dwyer, volunteer aides, constituted General Sibley's staff. 



398 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



thus to decoy the enemy into the open fields, and there fight him 
to advantage. This movement had the desired effect. The Fed- 
erals attributed the withdrawal of the Texans to a premeditated 
determination to retreat and avoid battle with a superior force. 
So surmising, even the Mexican contingent of the Union garri- 
son at Fort Craig enthusiastically sallied out from behind the 
fortifications to participate in the pursuit and help force an en- 
gagement. The result was a hot fight, and a brilliant victory 
for the Texans at Valverde. 

General Sibley thus reported the battle to General Cooper at 
Richmond, February 22, 1862 : 

"I have the honor to report to you, for the information of the 
President, that I encountered the enemy at this point (six miles 
above Fort Craig) in force at 11 o'clock yesterday morning, and 
after one of the most severely contested actions, lasting until 5 
p. m., the enemy was driven from the field with a loss, as esti- 
mated, of four captains of the regular army, and some 300 
killed and wounded, and the capture of his entire field bat- 
tery, the disabling of one twenty-four-pounder, and the abandon- 
ment of another in the river. We have but few prisoners ; among 
them is Capt. Wm. H. Russell, of the Tenth infantry. The en- 
emy had upon the field about 3500 men, 1200 of whom were old 
regulars. We never had more than 1500 engaged. For the first 
time, perhaps, on record, batteries were charged and taken at the 
muzzle of double-barrel shotguns, thus illustrating the spirit, 
valor, and invincible determination of Texas troops. Nobly have 
they emulated the fame of their San Jacinto ancestors. Our 
loss was severe — forty killed, including Maj. S. A. Loekridge, of 
the Fifth regiment, and Capt. M. Heuvel, of the Fourth. I have 
no report of the wounded, but think 100 will cover it. 

"Before closing this report, it is especially due to Col. Thomas 
Green of the Fifth, to say that, in consequence of severe and pro- 
longed illness and weakness resulting from it, I could only keep 
my saddle until 1 o'clock, and at that hour I relinquished to him 
the full direction of active operations. His coolness under the 
heaviest fire, and intrepidity under the most trying circum- 
stances, are sufficiently attested by the results. I can not com- 
mend Colonel Green too highly to the favorable consideration of 
the executive. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 399 



"It will be necessary, to secure our purpose, to reinforce me 
largeW from Texas at as early a day as possible. The force we 
had to contend against amounted to near 6000 men. 

"I beg leave, in conclusion, to bring to your notice the intelli- 
gence and valor of the members of my staff, — Maj. A. M. Jack- 
son, A. A. G. ; Maj. R. T. Browning, commissary of subsistence; 
Lieutenant Ochiltree, aide-de-camp, and Col. W. L. Robards, 
Major Magoffin, and Capt. J. Dwyer, volunteer aides. 

"P. S. — Lieut.-Col. J. S. Sutton, of the Seventh regiment 
(Col. William Steele's), in command of his battalion, and Capt. 
Willis L. Lang, of the Fifth, greatly distinguished themselves, 
and were both severely wounded; and I should not omit Lieut. 
D. M. Bass, of Captain Lang's company, who was also severely 
wounded in front of the charge, leading the lancers upon the 
enemy." 

The following extract is from Col. Tom Green's report: 
"Our dismounted troops, in front, were composed of parts of 
the Fourth and Fifth regiments of Texas mounted volunteers, 
and parts of Lieutenant-Colonel Sutton's and most of Pyron's 
battalion, and Teel's, Reiley's, and Wood's batteries of artillery, 
numbering about 750 on the ground. Major Raguet's cavalry 
numbered about 250, making about 1000 men in the charge. 

"At the command to charge our men leaped over the sand- 
bank, which had served as a good covering to them, and dashed 
over the open plain, thinly interspersed with cottonwood trees, 
upon the battery and infantry of the enemy in front, composed 
of the United States regulars and Denver City volunteers, and, 
in a most desperate charge and hand-to-hand conflict, completely 
overwhelmed them, killing most of their gunners around their 
cannon, and driving the infantry. into the river. Never were 
double-barrel shotguns and rifles used to better effect. A large 
number of the enemy were killed in the river with shotguns 
and sixshooters in their flight. So soon as the enemy had fled 
in disorder from our terrible fire in front, we turned upon his 
infantry and cavalry and twenty-four-pounders on our left flank, 
first engaged by Major Raguet. We charged them, as we had 
those in front; but they were not made of as good stuff as the 
regulars, and a few fires upon them with their own artillery and 
Teel's guns, a few volleys of small arms and the old Texas war- 



400 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



shout completely dispersed them. They fled from the field, both 
cavalry and artillery, in the utmost disorder, many of them drop- 
ping their guns to lighten their heels, and stopping only under 
the Avails of the fort. Our victory was complete. The enemy 
must have been 3000 strong, while our force actually engaged did 
not exceed 600. Six splendid pieces of artillery and their entire 
equipage fell into our hands ; also many fine small arms." 

Colonel Green thus commends two members of his regimental 
staff : 

"Sergt.-Maj. C. B. Sheppard shouldered his gun and fought 
gallantly in the ranks of Captain McPhail's company in the 
charge. Lieut. Joseph D. Sayers, adjutant of the Fifth, during 
the whole day reminded me of a hero of the days of chivalry. He 
is a gallant, daring, and dashing soldier, and is as cool in a storm 
of grape, shell, canister, and musketry as a veteran. I recom- 
mend him, through the General, to the President for promo- 
tion." 

A noble tribute this to the worth of the youth to be called 
thirty-six years later to the governorship of Texas. 

General Canby, the Federal commander, admitted his force to 
be 3500 men. Ours on the field did not exceed 1750, viz: The 
Fourth regiment, 600: the Fifth, 600; the Seventh, 300, and 
Pyron's command. Second mounted regiment of rifles, 250. 

Canby reported his loss at 68 killed, 160 wounded, and 35 
missing — total, 863. Our loss was 36 killed, 150 wounded, and 
1 missing — total, 187. 

"Depositing our sick at Socorro, thirty miles above Fort 
Craig," says General Sibley in a later report, "the march was un- 
interruptedly made to Albuquerque, where, notwithstanding the 
destruction by the enemy of large supplies by fire, ample subsist- 
ence was secured. A very considerable quantity of supplies and 
ammunition was also obtained at Cubero, a temporary post sixty 
miles west of Albuquerque. Other supplies were also taken at 
Santa Fe, and, upon the whole, we had a sufficiency for some 
three months. 

"It is due to the Fourth regiment to mention at this place an 
act of devotion and self-sacrifice worthy of high praise, and the 
more commendable because they are Texans. In the action at 
Valverde many of their horses ware killed, thus leaving them 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 401 



half foot and half moimted. The proposition being made to them 
to dismount, the whole regiment, without a dissenting voice (a 
cavalry regiment, which had proudly flaunted its banner before 
the enemy on the 20th), took up the line of march on the 24th, 
a strong and reliable regiment of infantry. 

"Having secured all the available stores in and about Albu- 
querque and dispatched Maj. Charles L. Pyron with his com- 
mand to Santa Fe to secure such as might be found there, I de- 
termined to make a strong demonstration on Fort Union. With 
this view. Col. William E. Scurry, with the Fourth and the bat- 
talion of Colonel Steele's regiment, under Maj. Powhatan Jordan, 
was pushed forward in the direction of Gallisteo; while Colonel 
Green, with his regiment (Fifth), being somewhat crippled in 
transportation, was held for a few days in hand, to check aay 
movement from Fort Craig. Meanwhile, the enemy (having 
received reinforcements at Fort Union of 950 men from Pike's. 
Peak), took the initiative and commenced a rapid march on 
Santa Fe." 

The battle of Glorieta occurred a few days later. The follow- 
ing is from General Sibley's report : 

"The battle of Glorieta was fought March 28th by detached 
troops, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Scurry and 
Federal forces (principally Pike's Peakers), under the command 
of Colonel Slough, the one having 1000 men, and the other esti- 
mated at 1500 or 2000. Glorieta is a canyon twenty-three miles 
east of Santa Fe. 

"Pending the battle, the enemy detached a portion of his forces 
to attack and destroy our supply train, which he succeeded in 
doing, thus crippling Colonel Scurry to such a degree that he 
was two days without provisions or blankets. The patient, un- 
complaining endurance of our men is most remarkable and 
praiseworthy. 

"Our loss was 33 killed and 35 wounded. Among the killed 
are Majors Eaguet and Shropshire, and Captain Buckholtz. Col- 
onel Scurry had his cheek twice grazed by minie balls, and j\f ajor 
Pyron had his horse killed under him. 

"In consequence of the loss of his train. Colonel Scurry has 
fallen back upon Santa Fe. 

"I must have reinforcements. The future operations of this 
2G 



402 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



army will be duly reported. Send me reinforcements. . . , 
Pending this action I was on my route to Santa Fe, in rear of 
Green's regiment, which had meanwhile been put in march for 
that place, where, on my arrival, I found the whole exultant army 
assembled. The sick and wounded had been comfortably quar- 
tered and attended; the loss of clothing and transportation had 
been made up from the enemy's stores and confiscations, and, 
indeed, everything done Avhich should have been done. 

"Many friends were found in Santa Fe who had been in dur- 
ance. Among the rest. Gen. William Pelham, who had but re- 
cently been released from a dungeon in Fort Union. 

"After the occupancy of the capital of the territory for nearly 
a month from the time of our first advance upon it, the forage 
and supplies obtainable there having become exhausted, it was 
determined to occupy, with the whole army, the village of Man- 
zano, intermediate between Fort Union, Albuquerque, and Fort 
Craig, and secure, as a line of communication, the road to Fort 
Stanton. This plan was disconcerted, however, by the rapid and 
continuous expresses from Albuquerque, urging the necessity of 
reinforcements to hold the place (the depot of all our supplies) 
against the advancing forces of Canby from Fort Craig. The 
entire force was accordingly moved by forced marches in the 
direction of Albuquerque, arriving too late to encounter the en- 
emy, but time enough to secure our limited supplies from the 
contingency of capture. 

"In our straightened circumstances the question now arose in 
my mind, whether to evacuate the country or take the desperate 
chances of fighting the enemy in his stronghold (Fort Union), 
for scant rations at the best. The course adopted was deemed 
the wisest." 

On the morning of April 12th, no reinforcements being avail- 
able, the evacuation of New IMexico began, the commands of 
Scurry, Steele, Pyron, and part of the artillery passing over, by 
the ferry and ford, to the west bank of the Eio Grande. Green's 
regiment, finding the ford difficult, remained over night on the 
east side of the river, expecting the next day to find a better 
crossing lower down. Meanwhile the army marched down as far 
as Los Lunas, and there awaited the arrival of General Green. 
That officer appeared with his regiment in due time at Peralto, 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 403 



on the opposite side of the river from Siblej' and the rest of the 
brigade. To make matters worse, General Canby, having re- 
ceived considerable reinforcements from Fort Union, made a 
rapid night march to within striking distance of Green's camp. 
The next morning Canby began the fight with a heavy artillery 
fire on Green. Sibley, divining the meaning of this, threw at 
once his whole disposable force across the river, the crossing being 
effected under the skillful management of General Scurry. Gen- 
eral Sibley and staff crossed soon after, but were intercepted and 
driven back across the river by a party of Yankee cavalry. The 
hostile armies confronted each other all that day, in easy gunshot 
distance. There was a series of menacing maneuvers, — a little 
ineffectual firing, — but no serious conflict. General Canby had 
declared his intention of capturing the whole Texan army, if he 
could overtake it, affecting to believe that the Texans were a 
disorderly rabble in flight from the country. 

Sibley's troops were truly in a desperate condition, — seven or 
eight hundred miles from their base of supplies, without rations 
or munitions, and with double their number of well provided sol- 
diers in front of them. But the Texans were of heroic mould; 
some were soldiers of San Jacinto, some had participated in the 
storming of Monterey, while others had repulsed Santa Anna's 
veterans at Buena Vista. The honor of Texas was never in safer 
hands. 

Under the friendly cover of night the Texans, unobserved, 
quietly recrossed the river to the camp still occupied by General 
Sibley with a small force. The next morning the united Texan 
army resumed their march down the river on the west side, while 
the exultant Yankees eagerly pursued on the opposite bank of 
the river. The proximity of the enemy in force now prevented 
General Sibley from attacking detached bodies of Federals along 
the course he was pursuing, as was his intention when two days 
march ahead of the Yankees ; a general engagement, in the crip- 
pled condition of the Texans, was to be avoided if possible. 

Finally, forage failing the Texans, their horses could no longer 
draw both wagon train and artillery, and one or the other had to 
be abandoned. On consultation with Colonels Green, Scurry, 
and other officers. General Sibley decided to take the artillery 
with him and leave the wagons, and to change his line of retreat 



404 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



to a route through the mountains, avoiding Fort Craig and strik- 
ing the river below that point. Accordingly, after nightfall, all 
the surplus wagons were left on the ground, seven days rations 
packed on mules, and the army silently moved off with McRae's 
battery of six guns (under the special care of Col. Wm. P. Harde- 
man). This was the battery captured from the Yankees at Val- 
verde, and the Texans made it a point of honor to save it. At 
the last moment it was found necessary to leave the other can- 
non, as there were no horses to haul them. 

Maj. Bethel Coop wood, thoroughly familar with the country, 
undertook to guide the army through the mountainous, trackless 
waste that was to be traversed. 

"The route was a difficult," says General Sibley, "and most 
hazardous one, both in respect to its practicability and supply 
of water. The successful accomplishment of the march not only 
proved the sagacity of our guide, but the pledge of Colonel 
Scurry, that the guns should be put over every obstacle, however 
formidable, by his regiment, was nobly fulfilled. Not a murmur 
escaped the lips of our brave boys. Descents into and ascents out 
of the deepest canyons, which a single horseman would have 
sought for miles to avoid, were undertaken and accomplished 
with a cheerfulness and ability which were the admiration and 
praise of the whole army. Thus, in ten days' marching, with 
seven days' rations, a point on the river where supplies had been 
ordered forward was reached. 

"The river, which was rising rapidly, was safely crossed to the 
east bank under the direction of Colonel Green, and at this mo- 
ment, I am happy to repeat, the whole force is comfortably quar- 
tered in the villages extending from Dona Ana to this place." 
(Fort Bliss.) 

This retreat across the Jornada was an exploit almost without 
parallel in military annals whether considered as difficult and 
unexpected checkmate of the pursuing enemy at a moment when 
he was confident of compelling a surrender, or as a test of mar- 
tial skill and soldierly fortitude and endurance. A lesson this 
in military achievements which few but Texans could give, and 
which all Americans can now appreciate. 

"My chief regret in making this retrograde movement," con- 
tinues General Sibley, "was the necessity of leaving hospitals at 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 405 



Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Socorro. Everything, however, was 
provided for the comfort of the sick, and sufficient funds in Con- 
federate paper provided them to meet every want, if it be ne- 
gotiated. It has been almost impossible to procure specie upon 
any terms. One thousand dollars is all I have been able to pro- 
cure for the use of hospitals and for secret service. The 'ricos,' 
or wealthy citizens of New Mexico, had been completely drained 
by the Federal powers, and, adhering to them, had become abso- 
lute followers of their army for dear life and their invested dol- 
lars. Politically they have no distinct sentiment or opinion on 
the vital question at issue. Power and interest alone control the 
expression of their sympathies. Two noble and notable exceptions 
to this rule were found in the brothers Rafael and Manuel Ar- 
mijo, the wealthiest and most respectable native merchants of 
New Mexico. The latter had been pressed into the militia, and 
was compulsorily present in the action at Valverde. On our ar- 
rival at Albuquerque, they came forward boldly and protested 
their sympathy with our cause, placing their stores, containing 
goods amounting to $200,000, at the disposal of my troops. 

"When the necessity for evacuating the country became inevit- 
able, these two gentlemen abandoned luxurious homes and well- 
filled storehouses to join their fate to the Southern Confederacy. 
I trust they will not be forgotten in the final settlement." 

Capt. Thos. P. Ochiltree,*'^ aide-de-camp to General Sibley, 
arrived at Austin in May with dispatches from that general ask- 
ing for aid. In compliance, I wrote at once to the department 
commander. General Hebert, as follows : "I see no way by which 
I can, within any reasonable time, do anything for the command. 
There are many men in the State enlisted, but they are all in the 
Confederate service and beyond my control. 

"Should you feel authorized to extend to him any relief, I will 
cheerfully co-operate with you. 

"I feel a very strong interest in the command. They are Tex- 
ans, brave and gallant soldiers. They are in that country by or- 
der of the government and should be sustained." 

The pressure of the enemy at other points drained Texas of 
troops, and Hebert did not feel able to send the needed reinforce- 

«' Captain Ochiltree was also the bearer of dispatches to Richmond, 
and continued his journey from Austin. 



406 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



ments; and New Mexico, won by such heroic valor by Texans, 
was lost to the Confederacy. 

"As for the results of the campaign," says General Sibley, "I 
have only to say that we have beaten the enemy in every encoun- 
ter and against large odds; that, from being the worst armed, 
my forces are now the best armed in the country. We reached 
this jDoint last winter in rags and blanketless. The army is now 
well clad and well supplied in other respects. The entire cam- 
paign has been prosecuted without a dollar in the quartermaster's 
department, Captain Harrison not having yet reached this place. 
But, sir, I can not speak encouragingly for the future, my troops 
having manifested a dogged, irreconcilable detestation of the 
country and the people. They have endured much, suffered 
much and cheerfully; but the prevailing discontent, backed up 
by the distinguished valor displayed on every field, entitles them 
to marked consideration and indulgence. 

"These considerations, in connection with the scant supply of 
provisions and the disposition of our own citizens in this section 
to depreciate our currency, may determine me, without waiting 
for instructions, to move by slow marches down the country, both 
for the purpose of remounting and recruiting our thinned 
ranks." 

About the last of May, General Sibley, much discouraged at 
the lack of money and subsistence for his army, resumed his re- 
treat down the river into Texas, marching by way of El Paso to 
San Antonio. Unofficial information of the intention of the 
government to reinforce him had been received, but it came too 
late to be of any service, as the safety of the army, menaced by a 
superior force of the enemy and by starvation, required a falling 
back to his base of supplies. Up to this time General Sibley had 
never, in answer to his dispatches, received a single line of ac- 
knowledgment or encouragement, having been left to act entirely 
upon his own judgment. 

It seems, however, from official documents published, that 
General Lee had ordered two regiments and supplies from Texas 
to Sibley. President Davis refers to this in his letter of congrat- 
ulation to Sibley (forwarded by Captain Ochiltree from Eich- 
mond ) . 

After a few weeks furlough, the soldiers of this heroic brigade 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 407 



were ordered to rendezvous at Camp Groce, near Hempstead. 
This they did early in Novemher. 

It will be remembered that while the army was at Fort Tlmrn, 
New Mexico, Col. Jas. Reiley"* was sent by General Sibley upon 
a delicate mission to Chihuahua. Colonel Eeiley was an accom- 
plished officer, not without experience in diplomacy, and was 
peculiarly fitted for the duty assigned him. 

The object of the mission was to learn the facts as to the al- 
leged permission given by the supreme government for the pass- 
age of United States troops through Mexican territory into 
Texas; to get leave to purchase supplies in Chihuahua for the 
Confederate States army, and to procure an agreement under 
which the troops of either nation, when in hot pursuit of hostile 
Indians, might cross the international boundary. 

The Confederate envoy was escorted by Don Carlos Moyo into 
the presence of Don Luis Terrazas, Governor of the State of 
Chihuahua, with the usual Mexican ceremony. 

"After a brief speech, interpreted by Don Carlos Moyo, and 
as brief a one from the Governor, also translated to me," says 
Colonel Eeiley in his report to General Sibley, "I presented to 
the Governor your letter of credence. I was then formally intro- 
duced to the Secretary of State and other high officials. 

"My reception by the Governor, and all others present, was 
most gracious and cordial. I beg leave here to state that I had 
myself announced to the Governor as colonel in the Confederate 

«* Colonel Reiley came from Ohio to Texas about 1836 or 1837. He 
first settled in Nacogdoches, and later removed to Houston with his 
amiable and accomplished wife, who was a niece of Henry Clay. Reiley 
had been a Whig in the North, but he soon became a staunch Demo- 
crat. He was a fine lawyer and orator, and ranked equal with Ashbel 
Smith and J. Pinckney Henderson as a diplomatist. Growing quickly 
into popular favor, he had the honor of representing Harris County in 
the Congress of 1840. Subsequently he served as Minister of the Re- 
public of Texas at Washington City with great credit. In Buchanan's 
administration he was Minister of the United States at St. Petersburg, 
and represented his country so well as to gain the public approval not 
only of the administration then in power, but of his fellow citizens with- 
out distinction of party. In the civil war no man was more loyal to 
Texas and to the Southern cause than he, and when ordered by Sibley 
he cheerfully left the command of a regiment in the field to undertake 
a mission for which there seemed to be no one so Avell qualified as him- 
self. 



408 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



States army, and was dressed as such, being in the uniform of a 
cavalr}' officer, Confederate States army, and wearing my sword. 

"His excellency remarked that, as the communication was in 
English, a language he neither spoke nor read, he must request 
to have it translated, so that he might be able to give it due and 
intelligent consideration. I then informed him, if he pleased. I 
would call at noon the next day. 

"At the request of the Governor 1 resumed my seat, when many 
inquiries were made about the war between the South and ^orth, 
about yourself, and the number and character of your troops ; to 
all of which I trust I gave satisfactory answers. 

"Upon taking leave of the Governor, I was escorted back to the 
hotel by Don Carlos Moyo. He remained with me some time, 
and I found him quite a friend of the South. To him I am in- 
debted for much civility and many kindnesses. 

"The next day at the appointed time Don Carlos again called 
for me, and, arriving at the palace, we found ourselves not alone 
with the Governor, but also with the Secretary of State and one 
of the judges of the Supreme Court. In a short time we were 
joined by Don Joaquin Durand, whose acquaintance I had pre- 
viously made, and, although a Mexican, yet writing and speak- 
ing the English language with great fluency, having been edu- 
cated in England. He came there at my request, and I was glad 
to avail myself of his intelligence. We almost immediately took 
up your communication, and you have, general, in the letter No. 
5, and of date 11th instant, the result of that interview. 

"In addition to the concessions there made by the Governor, he 
informed me that ''if even the assent of the President had come 
to him, sanctioned by act of Congress,' he did not think he would 
permit Federal troops to pass through the territory of Chihuahua 
to invade Texas. 

"In regard to the second point, he said that he would not give 
his official sanction to the occupancy of the territory of his State 
by foreign troops, but hoped the Apaches on the frontier would 
be kept quiet. This was after I referred him to the law of nations 
in regard to the right of 'hot pursuit,' instanced the invasion of 
Shreveport, La., in November, 1838, by Texas troops when in 
'hot pursuit' of the Caddoes, and stated to him that such inva- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. ' 409 



sion was not deemed or treated as a wrongful one by the govern- 
ment of the United States. . . . 

"As to the right to purchase supplies in Chihuahua, embraced 
in the third point, the Governor assured me no steps would be 
taken to prevent it, and, although the presence of your command 
would increase the price which the people of Chihuahua would 
have to pay, yet that, independent of this, we should not be ex- 
cluded. 

"I spent an evening, by invitation, with the Governor at his 
private residence, where I met many persons, and dined with him 
at his brother-in-law's (Moyo's) next day. 

"The Governor appeared anxious to have the best relations 
established and continued between his State and the Confederate 
States, and I took leave of him, satisfied in my own mind that he 
would not break, or cause to be broken, the relations that now 
exist. ... 

"I have the pleasure to report that the custom-house dues I was 
by you instructed to have remitted were ordered by the Governor 
to be remitted, and the Governor paid me the compliment to put 
in my hand the order to the collector of El Paso to have the du- 
ties remitted and the bondsmen released. He stated that at all 
times, whenever necessary, he would be pleased to afford protec- 
tion to the persons and property of the citizens of the Southern 
Confederacy. . . . 

"Permit me here again to congratulate you on having been in- 
strumental in obtaining the first official recognition by a foreign 
government of the Confederate States of America. All the credit 
due such an achievement I trust will be awarded you." 

Colonel Reiley's report was not made until the close of the New 
Mexico campaign, nor did he complete his negotiations at Chi- 
huahua in time to participate in the battles fought on New Mex- 
ican soil. He, however, added considerably to his laurels as a 
capable envoy, and later found abundant opportunity for hard 
and creditable service in the field. 



410 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



CHAPTEE TWENTY-THEEE. 

Bombardment of Corpus Christi — General Bee's Report — Ineffectual 
Shelling at Port Lavaca — Evacuation of Galveston and Its Occupa- 
tion by the Yankees — Letter from Me to General Hebert on the Situ- 
ation — Captain Henry S. Lubbock and the Bayou City — Colonel 
Burrill, General Banks, and Military Governor A. J. Hamilton — Our 
New Commander and His Plans — Correspondence — Preparations for 
Recapture of Galveston. 

At 9 a. m., August 16th, Captain Kittredge, commander of the 
Federal fleet before Corpus Christi, approached the wharf in a 
launch under a flag of truce. 

He stated that he had come, as ordered by the United States 
government, to examine the public buildings in the city. Every 
proposition to land, under whatever pretext, was peremptorily 
rejected. He then demanded that the women and children should 
be removed beyond the limits of the town within twenty-four 
hours, as he intended to land a force and execute his orders. 
Forty-eight hours were finally allowed for the removal of the 
families from town, which time was found amply sufficient for 
the purpose. The Corypheus, Eeindeer, Bella Italia, and a steam 
gunboat from the enemy's fleet had taken positions on the pre- 
vious day. The Confederates had a battery, near the water's 
edge, of two guns (a twelve and eighteen-pounder) which was 
supported by Captain (afterwards Governor) Ireland's company 
and Hobby's battalion. 

"At daylight on the 16th," says Maj. A. M. Hobby, in his re- 
port, "we opened fire on the enemy. Six shots were fired on the 
fleet before they replied. The enemy shelled the battery and the 
town furiously, doing, however, but little damage. At 9 o'clock 
we drove him from his position. Beyond the reach of our guns 
he repaired damages and mended sails rent by our shot. At 3 
o'clock he returned, and when within reach of our battery, it 
opened fire, striking both yacht and steamer, and compelled them 
to withdraw beyond the reach of our guns. They contented them- 
selves with shelling the battery during the remainder of the day. 

"Mr. William Mann, a volunteer commander of the battery, 
greatly distinguished himself by his skill and bravery. . . . 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 411 



"By guns of inferior caliber and a smaller force than their 
own, they were driven from their position. Five shots were seen 
to do execution. The enemy fired 296 times." 

Only one Confederate, a private in Captain Ireland's company, 
was wounded. 

"On the morning of the 18th (Monday)," continues the re- 
port, "the enemy again opened on our battery, bringing his whole 
force to bear on it. Failing to silence our guns, a portion of his 
fleet withdrew and landed a twelve-pounder rifled gun, supported 
by thirty or forty well armed men, who approached our battery 
by way of the beach, under cover of a continuous fire from their 
gunboats. They attempted to enfilade our battery, their balls 
passing just above our entrenchments. I immediately ordered 
twenty-five men to charge the gun, which they did in gallant 
style. After leaving the cover of our breastworks they entered 
an open plain and rapidly neared the gun, whereupon the gun- 
boats of the enemy opened a heavy fire upon them. They, un- 
daunted, pressed onward, and when within range of small arms 
I ordered them to fire, which they did, still advancing, the enemy 
in the meantime retreating in double-quick, carrying with them 
their gun. They left in their retreat their ammunition box, 
hatchet, and rat-tail files (intended, I presume, to spike our 
guns) ; a hat and rifle cartridges were scattered along the road. 
We chased them to their gunboats, to which they retreated with- 
out delay. Whenever a ball from a battery would strike the boats 
of the enemy, our men would rise and cheer, regardless of the 
fire to which they were exposed. The enemy withdrew, and tak- 
ing position in front of the city, avenged themselves upon a few 
unoffending houses. A few shots from our guns drove them off, 
and on the following morning they stood away for Aransas Pass." 
The Confederate loss that day was one man, killed in the charge. 

In September a second attempt was made to capture the place. 
Captain Kittredge, commanding the United States fleet in Aran- 
sas Bay, visited Corpus Christi under a flag of truce, and asked 
leave to take aboard the family of E. J. Davis. Maj. E. F. Gray, 
commandant of the port, referred the matter to General Bee, and 
informed Lieutenant Kittredge that an answer could not be ex- 
pected under ten days. 

The Federal commander then withdrew and proceeded with his 



413 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



ships down the coast towards the salt works on the Lagnna del 
Madre. Captains Ireland and Ware, with their respective com- 
panies and one piece of artillery, were dispatched in the same 
direction to watch the movements of the enemy. That night 
Captain Ireland prepared an ambuscade in a vacant house near 
the shore, off which the fleet had anchored. 

Early in the ensuing morning the Federals shelled the houses 
and surrounding points for some time; then, the ground being 
apparently unoccupied. Lieutenant Kittredge, accompanied by 
some of his sailors and marines, landed and approached the house. 
Our men being concealed, the adventurous lieutenant fell into 
the trap set for him, and he and his whole party were taken pris- 
oners. As soon as the capture was discovered by the enemy, their 
gunboats opened a rapid fire of shell and grape on the command, 
which passed over our men and prisoners, but without damage 
to either. 

Lieutenant Kittredge was immediately escorted by Major 
Hobby to headquarters at San Antonio, where he was paroled. 
"The capture of the bold and energetic leader of the enemy" was 
specially gratifying to General Bee, who so expressed himself, and 
further stated : "The course of Lieutenant Kittredge while for 
many months in command on our coast has been that of an hon- 
orable enemy, and as such he is entitled to the consideration due 
to his situation by the terms of civilized warfare ;" a declaration 
creditable alike to Federal and Confederate. 

As to the citizens. General Bee has this to say: "Too much 
praise can not be given to the patriotic citizens of Corpus Christi. 
They removed out into the woods with their families, out of fire, 
and in tents and under trees calmly and confidently awaited the 
result. They have suffered many inconveniences and privations, 
especially for the want of water, as the drought of this section 
has been unprecedented. Yet they have set a laudable example 
to their countrymen, and added another to the many instances 
of patriotism which this war has excited. It is worthy of remark 
that the citizens of surrounding counties, for a distance of one 
hundred miles, attracted by the fire of the cannon, with their 
rifles in hand repaired to the scene and tendered their services 
to the commanding officer, demonstrating that when the emer- 
gency arises their country can depend on them." 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 413 



The earthwork used by the Confederate battery was thrown 
up by General Taylor in 1845, and was composed of shell and 
sand, which, being solid and impenetrable to thirty-two-pound 
shot, proved an admirable defense. 

Maj. F. Blucher, the distinguished engineer who prepared the 
defenses at Corpus Christi, was a nephew of Marshal Blucher of 
Waterloo fame. William Mann, acting captain of artillery in 
the fight, had seen service at Island No. 10 on the Mississippi. 

Lieut. George E. Conklin, Confederate States army, post ad- 
jutant at Lavaca, under date of November 1st, reported an en- 
gagement at that point between the Confederate batteries and 
part of the enemy's fleet : 

"On the morning of October 31st," said he, "two Federal 
steamers appeared in sight, evidently steering for this place. 
About 11a. m. they arrived within a short distance, when they 
cast anchor. At 1 p. m. they sent a boat with a flag of truce 
on shore, which was met by Major Shea, accompanied by four 
citizens of the town. A short interview succeeded, during which 
a demand was made for the surrender of the town. They were 
assured by the commanding officer that he was there to defend it, 
and should do so to the best of his ability, with all the means 
he had at hand. A demand was then made for time to remove 
the women, children, and sick persons from town. 

"The officer in charge of the flag replied that one hour was the 
time he was authorized to grant ; but, in consideration of the fact 
that an epidemic (yellow fever) was still raging in the town he 
would extend the time to one hour and a half ; at the expiration 
of which period they moved up abreast the town and opened fire 
from both steamers upon both the town and batteries. At this 
time there were many women and children still in the place, 
they having been unable, for want of time, to leave. Our bat- 
teries promptly returned the fire. Capt. John A. Vernon com- 
manded one of the batteries, assisted by Lieut. T. 0. Woodward ; 
and Capt. I. M. Eeuss, assisted by Lieuts. 0. L. Schnaubel and 
G. French the other, and nobly did both officers and men per- 
form their duty, working their guns as coolly as though on in- 
spection, while a perfect storm of shot and shell rained around 
them ; and this, in view of the fact that yellow fever had deci- 
mated their ranks, and that many of the men who manned the 



414 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



batteries had but partially recovered from the fever, entitles them 
to the highest praise. The steamers were struck several times, 
and one of them partially disabled. Whereupon they immedi- 
ately steamed off out of range of our batteries. When they cast 
anchor again they opened up a steady fire upon the town and 
batteries, which was continued until night shut in. 

"On the next morning, November 1st, they again opened fire 
upon the town and batteries; but, owing to their being entirely 
out of range of our guns, we did not reply to them. At about 11 
a. m. they ceased their fire and steamed down the bay in the di- 
rection of Indianola, having in tow the schooner Lecompte, which 
they had captured in the bay a few days before. One of the 
steamers went outside the bar and steamed in the direction of 
Galveston, probably for a mortar boat or some other additional 
force to assist them. 

"I am glad to report that no lives were lost on our side, but 
the enemy succeeded in doing considerable damage to the town, 
tearing up the streets and riddling the houses and otherwise dam- 
aging the place. The enemy fired in all 258 shot and shell, 174 
the first day and 78 the second, nearly all of them from thirty- 
two and sixty-four-pounder rifled guns. 

"Capt. H. Wilke, acting ordnance officer, rendered very effi- 
cient service in keeping the batteries supplied with ammunition, 
and freely exposed himself in the discharge of his duties. 

"The citizens of this town acted nobl}^, particularly Mr. Dunn 
and Mr. Charles Oglesbury, who remained in the town and ma- 
terially assisted the commanding officer, suffering their prop- 
erty to be destroyed without a murmur, and only regretting they 
could do no more to serve their country. 

"The ladies of the place, among whom were Mrs. Chesley and 
Mrs. Dunn and the two beautiful and accomplished daughters 
of the former, bore a conspicuous part, acted the part of true 
Southern heroines, supplying our tired soldiers with coffee, 
bread and meat, even during the thickest of the fight." 

Such defenses as that described by Lieutenant Conklin fitly 
illustrate the character of the people of the Old South — their 
sensibility to the influence of noble sentiments, the implicit and 
unfaltering obedience they yielded to the calls of duty, and the 
quality of their courage, — a courage that was magnanimous and 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 415 



brilliant in the hour of victory, but that (were it possible) shone 
with added luster when tested under circumstances of sickness, 
trial, and privation, in the presence of a superior force, and with 
the apparent impending certainty of defeat. 

In the latter part of September, 1863, the enemy began to 
make demonstrations eastward along the coast, to cover their de- 
signs upon Galveston. According to Colonel Spaight's report, 
two armed sail vessels and one steam propeller came to anchor 
September 33d just outside the bar off Sabine Pass. Early the 
next morning the two sail vessels, having crossed the bar, took 
position and opened fire on the Confederate works, to which our 
gunners promptly replied; but the shots from both sides fell 
short. The enemy then approached nearer and a brisk fire was 
opened from both sides and continued till dark. To the chagrin 
of the officers and men, our shot still fell short, while the enemy 
was enabled with his long range guns to throw shot and shell 
around and into our works. Our men, however, stood to their 
guns, occasionally "mounting the works, shouting and waving 
their hats in defiance.'"' 

When night came on. Major Irvine, thinking that it would be 
a fruitless exposure of the men and public property to attempt 
to hold the works another day, began at once to move the ord- 
nance stores and other property, and spiked the guns — consist- 
ing of two thirty-two and two eighteen-pounders. 

All the government property was saved; but two men, sick 
with yellow fever, were left in the hospital in the care of com- 
petent nurses. In a few days from that time the enemy sent a 
party ashore. On the 37th they ascended Taylor's Bayou in three 
launches, fired the railroad bridge over that stream, and car- 
ried off three citizens, including the mail boy there. The fire 
on the bridge was soon extinguished and the bridge saved. Next 
day the depot, near the bridge on the East Texas Eailroad, was 
burned by the enemy and our communications eastward seriously 
impaired. At this time yellow fever and measles were raging 
among our troops on the coast. 

Saturday, the 4th of October, the blockading squadron off 
Galveston consisted of eight vessels, of which four were armed 
steamers. Early in the morning the Harriet Lane (one of the 
steamers) crossed the bar, flying a white flag, and anchored op- 



416 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



posite Fort Point, having been brought-to by a shot. An officer 
from the Harriet Lane having asked for an interview with the 
post commandant, Colonel Cook, attended by Captain McKene 
and Hon. M. M. Potter, went out to meet him, and were informed 
that the commander of the Federal squadron desired a messenger 
from the city sent out to him to receive his communication. A 
messenger was accordingly dispatched on this mission, under 
protection of a flag of truce, his boat putting out from shore 
without delay. Meanwhile the Harriet Lane recrossed the bar 
and communicated with the fleet ; then all the steamers, together 
with the mortar boat, came in over the bar and deployed in line 
where the Harriet Lane had first anchored. A shot was now 
fired from our battery across the course of the advancing vessels 
(our flag of truce boat being close by in the bay, in plain view). 
The enemy responded from all their ships, firing with about 
twenty guns upon our battery, which consisted of a single gun 
and was soon disabled. Thereupon the gun was spiked, and our 
men fell back towards the city. The fleet passed entirely around 
the point into the harbor, and continued their shelling till our 
men retired beyond range. The two twenty-four-pounders con- 
stituting the Confederate battery on the bay side, near the east 
end of the city, next opened fire, but without effect upon the ad- 
vancing ships. Our flag of truce boat now coming up, the firing 
ceased and the messenger was taken aboard the Federal flag- 
ship, and the fleet came to anchor. 

Colonel Cook had, under orders, previously made his arrange- 
ments for evacuating the city, and, as he had now no means of 
defense, he ordered the two guns of the south side shore battery 
to be spiked, and all the material there and at other points to be 
taken at once to the railroad depot for shipment. 

I had never ceased to have apprehensions for the safety of Gal- 
veston, and in anticipation of the worst I had ordered the re- 
moval of the machinery at the rope-walk and elsewhere to a point 
of security. This order was set aside by the military. jSTcws 
having reached me at Austin, October 8th, of an expected at- 
tack on Galveston, I wrote to General Hebert, then at San An- 
tonio, expressing regret at his sickness, and the hope that he 
would be able to meet me at Galveston, where the enemy were 
to be found. I set out at once for the coast. At Houston I 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 417 



learned of the evacuation of the island, and remained in that 
city till November 1st, advising with the military authorities as 
to the projjer measures of defense. In accordance with General 
Hebert's previous orders on the subject, Col. X. B. DeBray, com- 
manding the sub-district, instructed Colonel Cook, October 5th, 
as follows : "The enemy having possession of Galveston Bay, 
with an overwhelming force of artillery, you will avoid making, 
within the city, a resistance which would bring about the de- 
struction of the property of our citizens without resulting in any 
good to the country. You will move from the city to Virginia 
Point such material as you can save, and the troops you do not 
actually need to maintain good order in the city, so long as you 
are in possession of it. You will give aid and assistance to the 
provost marshal in removing from the island such machinery as 
can be removed. You will cause the printing presses to be put 
out of working order, with as little destruction of property as 
possible. You will cause the residents, citizens and aliens, to 
understand that, should the enemy hoist his flag over the city of 
Galveston, they will at once be cut off from intercourse with the 
continent by ns, and that, in the event of falling into the hands 
of the enemy, they have but two alternatives left, viz., abject sub- 
mission, or persecution and insult. You will inform them that 
should they be too poor to provide for their transportation, the 
Confederate States government will transport them to Houston 
free of cost. You will, when an attack by the enemy is immi- 
nent, withdraw to Virginia Point, leaving two companies to 
garrison Eagle Grove, and endeavor to withdraw without loss 
of men." 

"At about 3 :30 p. m.," says Colonel Cook, "our flag of truce 
messenger returned to the city, bearing a demand from the 
enemy for the surrender of the city, and demanding an imme- 
diate answer. I sent a messenger, with the answer that I should 
not surrender the city, directing the messenger also to say to the 
commander of the fleet that there were many women and chil- 
dren, and to demand time to remove them. After some negotia- 
tion it was agreed that there should be no attack made upon the 
city for four days; that during that time we should not construct 
any new or strengthen any old defenses within the city, and that 
the fleet was not to be brought any nearer. This arrangement 
27 



418 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



gave us ample time for the removal of all who desired to leave 
the island, and also for the removal of our troops and material 
of every kind. 

"Meanwhile all four of the guns from both batteries were re- 
moved to Virginia Point, and the people fully notified of the 
situation. 

"All machinery of any value was removed. The civil authori- 
ties removed all the county records of every kind, and by noon 
of the 8th we had removed all the government property of any 
value, except the ten-inch gun at Fort Point, and a large major- 
ity of the population of the city had left their houses and the 
island." 

The troops were concentrated at Virginia Point, leaving a 
sufficient number to hold the battery at the south end of the rail- 
road bridge. 

The evacuation was accomplished according to the elaborate 
instructions given by Colonel DeBray while he was on the island. 
Colonel DeBray remained with Colonel Cook for three days after 
the occupation of Galveston by the enemy, conferring with him 
and endeavoring to formulate measures for resisting a further 
advance of the enemy. On his departure for the city of Hous- 
ton, Colonel DeBray ordered the commandant to wire him twice 
a day of the state of affairs in that vicinity. Colonel DeBray was 
one of the hardest fighters in the Texan army, and he was deeply 
mortified at having, under superior orders, to yield the Island 
City to the enemy without a desperate struggle. 

Wednesday evening, October 8th, a meeting of citizens was 
held in the city hall for the purpose of taking into consideration 
the state of affairs in the city in consequence of its evacuation 
by the military and the departure of the mayor and a majority of 
the aldermen. The meeting appointed Mr. James W. Moore, the 
oldest magistrate in the county, mayor pro tern., and clothed him 
with full powers for the enforcement of municipal laws and po- 
lice regulations during the existing emergency. Four steamers 
of the enemy's fleet weighed anchor at 9 a. m. Thursday and 
steamed slowly and cautiously up to the city, and at 10 a. m. took 
position at the foot of the principal streets, the Harriet Lane 
taking an anchorage that enabled her to command the street lead- 
ing to the custom-house. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 419 



About 1 p. m. the commander's flagship fired three shots to- 
wards the west of the island, whereupon the mayor pro tern., ac- 
companied by Messrs. T. M. League and Captain Hairland, went 
to the end of St. Cyr's wharf and signaled the fleet. They were 
immediately answered, and shortly a boat was sent to the wharf 
and took the party to the commander's ship. The mayor re- 
quested Commander Eenshaw to communicate to him his inten- 
tions in regard to the city, informing him, at the same time, of 
its abandonment by the Confederate military authorities, of the 
absence of the mayor and city council, and of his appointment 
as mayor pro tern, by a meeting of citizens. 

Commander Eenshaw replied that he had come for the pur- 
pose of taking possession of the city; that it was at his mercy, 
under his guns ; that he would not interfere in municipal affairs ; 
that the citizens might conduct their business as theretofore, and 
that he did not intend to immediately occupy the city and would 
probably wait until the arrival of a Federal military commander. 
He said, however, that the United States flag would at once be 
raised on public buildings, and he would expect the municipal 
authorities to see that it was respected. The mayor answered that 
he could not guarantee protection of the flag; that he would do 
everything in his power, but that persons over whom he had no 
control might take down the flag and create a difficulty. 

Finally the considerate commodore waived this requirement, 
stating that when he sent the flag ashore he would send a suffi- 
cient force to protect it, and that he would not keep the flag fly- 
ing for more than a quarter of an hour, a sufficient time to show 
absolute possession. Commodore Eenshaw said that he would 
insist upon the right of any of his men, in charge of an officer, 
to come on shore and walk in the streets of the city, but that he 
would not permit men to come on shore immediately, or in the 
night. He further stated that, should his men insult citizens, he 
gave the mayor the right to arrest and report them to him, and 
that he would punish them more rigidly than the civil authori- 
ties could or would. On the other hand, he declared that, should 
any of his men be insulted or shot at in the streets of Galveston, 
or any of his ships or boats be shot at from the land or wharves, 
he would hold the city responsible and open fire on it instantly; 
that his guns would be kept shotted and double-shotted for that 



i20 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



purpose. In conclusion, he announced that it was the deter- 
mination of his government to hold Galveston at all hazards 
until the end of the war, and that we could not take the port 
from him without a navy. 

As to citizens communicating with the mainland, Eenshaw 
was at first reticent, but finally said that no communication what- 
ever should be held by water, but that the trains might run up to 
the island side of the bridge, and freight be hauled in wagons 
from that point to the city. 

Soon after the mayor's return, about 150 marines and sailors, 
including half a dozen negroes, landed at Kuhn's wharf and 
marched to the custom-house, and there raised the United States 
flag. At the expiration of about half an hour the same party took 
down the flag and returned with it to the fleet. 

In a letter to General Hebert^ dated October 15, 1862, I said : 

"I am happy to say that I believe Colonel DeBray is doing 
everything he can to guard against the further encroachments 
of the enemy, and as far as I have been informed of his move- 
ments they meet my aj)proval. 

"The colonel has taken steps to protect the approaches to 
Houston and the mainland generally bordering on Galveston 
Bay. 

"In order to guard with any success those approaches and to 
prevent the escape of slaves and the disloyal, a steam vessel, to 
cruise in the bay as low down as Ked Fish bar, is absolutely 
essential. 

"These emergencies have arisen since I had the pleasure of 
seeing you at San Antonio. Colonel DeBray has written you, I 
presume, in regard to the purchase or charter of the boat belong- 
ing to the State ; she is the only vessel calculated for the services 
needed that can be had. Let me urge you either to take the ves- 
sel at cost, or that you authorize Colonel DeBray to charter her 
until her services are no longer required. 

"The State is not in condition to keep her in commission, and 
as she is really required by and is now in the service of the Con- 
federate government, I trust you will find it proper to so con- 
tinue her. 

"The cutter Dodge is lying perfectly useless in the San Jacinto 
Eiver, in a dismantled condition. She draws too much water to 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 421 



be of any use in the upper bay, and I trust you will order her 
armament, munitions, etc., to be placed in the service, where they 
can be of some use. 

"I am told there is a very good crew under pay on board of 
her. In God's name, what does a vessel not intended to be used 
need with a crew ? 

"I wish you would come down, or send General Bee to this 
point. We may have stirring times here, and although, as I said 
at the outset, Colonel DeBray is an efficient and energetic officer, 
the people would feel, perhaps, better satisfied if importance 
enough was attached to the movements of the enemy to call a 
general to the scene of operations." 

Next day (October 16th) I wrote to Commander W. W. Hun- 
ter, of the Confederate navy : 

"I have ordered Capt. H. S. Lubbock to repair with his vessel, 
the Bayou City, to Red Fish bar, to watch the movements of the 
enemy, and to render aid in completing obstructions authorized 
to be made by Col. X. B. DeBray, commanding sub-district of 
Houston. This vessel is very poorly provided, and I find it im- 
possible to procure the munitions, boats, etc., needed by Captain 
Lubbock. Let me beg of you, my dear sir, to furnish him with 
what you can spare that will be of benefit to the service. He is 
fully empowered to receipt to you for what he receives, and I 
will agree to return them to you when required. 

"It is impossible to know what the intentions of the enemy 
may be, and it is all important that there should be a proper 
lookout kept up. 

"Unless the vessel is provided with some means of defense, 
she can be of but little service." 

On November 12th Capt. Henry S. L^^bbock advised (by let- 
ter) the Military Board of the sale of the State steamer Bayou 
City to the Confederate States government for $50,000. 

Colonel DeBray promptly reported to General Hebert what he 
was doing to keep the enemy confined to the city of Galveston, 
tc protect the coast at other points, to perfect a mule express to 
San Antonio, and to obstruct the rivers and bayous to prevent 
the enemy from penetrating the country. My brother, Capt. Wm. 
M. Lubbock, was one of the officers to assist in that important 
service. 



422 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



In a postscript to a letter to General Hebert, Colonel DeBray 
says, under date of October 15th : 

"His Excellency Governor Lubbock is here. I enclose to you 
his proclamation ratifying my order cutting off intercourse with 
Galveston." 

Some interested parties severely commented upon this action, 
but it was the only course to pursue. 

Col. Isaac S. Burrill, of the Forty-second Massachusetts vol- 
unteers, reporting to General Banks, says : "Upon arriving at 
this place (Galveston) on the 2-ith of December, 1862, . . . 
I landed the three companies of my command, which were with 
me upon the transport Saxon, on the end of Kuhn's wharf, and 
quartered them in the warehouse there. I have taken possession 
of the city as boldly as I could with the small force at my com- 
mand, and have thoroughly reconnoitered the island up to within 
range of their battery at Eagle Grove, which is apparently well 
built, mounting three guns. They have also one gun at the draw, 
which is about midway of the bridge. Upon Virginia Point they 
have a strong battery, mounted with heavy guns. From the best 
information obtainable, I judge their force in this immediate 
vicinity to be about 3000 strong. 

"During the day we control the city, but at night, owing to 
our small force (as the balance of my regiment has not yet ar- 
rived), I am obliged to draw in the pickets to the wharf on 
which we are quartered. 

"I think there are still on the island about 3000 persons,®* a 
large proportion of whom are women and children. A great 
many of these people are almost entirely destitute of the means 
of subsistence, as the enemy will not allow anything to be 
brought over from the mainland, thinking, doubtless, to make 
them disloyal by starvation. The naval officer in command has 
contributed all he could spare from his stores, and my men have 
shared their bread rations with them. I believe the larger part of 
the residents now here to be loyal and really desire to remain in 
the city, and that common humanity calls upon us to render 

**Ten days before Colonel Burrill's arrival about one hundred half- 
starved renegades and negroes sailed to New Orleans on the bark 
Island City. Flour was then selling at $80 a barrel and wood at $20 a 
cord. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



423 



them assistance. This, in my judgment, can best be done by 
placing the city under martial law, as soon as my force is large 
enough, and forcing the rich, who are mainly the secessionists, 
to feed the poor. I would most respectfully urge upon your con- 
sideration the necessity of sending provisions for immediate re- 
lief. These can be sold to them at government prices, thus con- 
ferring a real charity, without subjecting them to the mortifica- 
tion of being beggars." 




GEN. J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, C.S.A. 



General Banks about this time notified Colonel Burrill that 
Gen. A. J. Hamilton had been appointed Governor of Texas, 
would arrive shortly at Galveston, and must be respected as such. 
Banks informed Burrill that, with no military movements in 



424 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



immediate view, Galveston would be held principally as a recruit- 
ing station for the United States army, and enjoined on him the 
exercise of prudence. 

In response to the general desire for a change of military com- 
manders in Texas, the Confederate States government finally 
sent us Gen. J. Bankhead Magruder, of Virginia. November 29, 
1862, immediately after General Magruder s arrival at Houston, 
I addressed a letter to Colonel DeBray, thus expressing my views 
on public matters : 

"I learn to-day that General Magruder has arrived at Hous- 
ton. I am anxious to see him, but it is not convenient at this 
date for me to leave the capital. 

"I do hope, colonel, that the general will take prompt and de- 
cisive measures for the protection of the State. He should de- 
termine, as speedily as possible, what is required that can not be 
supplied within his command, and insist upon it being sent to 
him. 

"I feel assured we can furnish the soldiers, if the means of 
arming and equipping them can be obtained. 

"I trust you are getting along well with the obstructions along 
the bay and in the rivers. Let me beg that, after getting through 
with the obstructions at Clopper's bar, you will try and obstruct 
Red Fish. If it is practicable, and can be done speedily, it would 
insure the safety of the Trinity. 

"Colonel, can we not do something at Galveston ? If you could 
devise a plan whereby you could drive those fellows from the 
wharves of the city and occupy the place, with the sanction of 
General Magruder, it would make you a name and do much to 
raise the spirits of our people. I will most cheerfully co-operate 
with you in such an undertaking, and will accompany you on any 
expedition that you may get up for such a purpose. 

"I think, if it is possible, we should repossess the place. 

"I trust you will use every exertion to relieve any good men 
that have fallen into the hands of the enemy, and that you will 
retain all prisoners taken by you until our citizens are released. 

"I am arranging the papers relative to the transfer of the 
steamer Bayou City, and will send them by next mail." 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 425 



The second day after his arrival, General Magruder®^ assumed 
command of the District of Texas, jSTew Mexico, and Arizona, 
and issued an order, from his temporary headquarters at Hous- 
ton, directing all subordinate officers to forward to him at once 
field returns of the troops under their command. The quarter- 
masters, commissaries, and other officers in charge of military 
stores and subsistence, who had served under General Hebert, 
were ordered to forward reports, without delay, to department 
headquarters. The commander of Sibley's brigade was directed 
to report, by letter, the number and condition of his troops, and 
how armed. Immediate reports from the conscript officers were 
also called for. These various orders were promptly obeyed. 
JSTew life seemed infused into the department. It soon became 
evident that a firm and skillful hand was at the helm of military 
affairs in Texas, and the hopes and expectations of the people 
rose accordingly. 

General Magruder's staff was made up as follows: Maj. A. G. 
Dickinson and Capt. E. P. Turner, adjutant inspector-general's 
department; Maj. B. Bloomfield, quartermaster's department; 
E. B. Pendleton, commissary department ; J. B. Eustis, ordnance 
officer, and Lieuts. Geo. A. Magruder and H. M. Stanard, aides- 
de-camp. 

December 1st General Magruder informed General Cooper 
(at Eichmond), adjutant and inspector-general of the armies of 

^5 John Bankhead Magruder was born in Winchester, Va., August 
15, 1810. He graduated from West Point in 1830; was brevetted major 
for gallantry at Cerro Gordo, and lieutenant-colonel at Chapultepec, 
where he was severely wounded; resigned his commission (that of cap- 
tain of artillery) in the United States army, and entered that of the 
Confederacy; was made brigadier-general after gaining the battle of 
Big Bethel, Va. ; was placed in command of the peninsula and for 
several weeks successfully opposed the forward march of the Union 
army; was then promoted to major-general; took part in the seven days 
fighting around Richmond, especially distinguishing himself in the 
battle of Malvern Hill; October 10, 1862, was placed in command of the 
Department of Texas, and so continued until the close of the war; after 
the fall of the Confederacy entered the army of Maximilian in Mexico, 
with the rank of major-general, and after the downfall and execution of 
the ill-fated emperor returned to the United States; lectured in Balti- 
more and other cities, and in 1869 made his home in Houston, Texas, 
where he died February 19, 1871. His remains are interred at Galves- 
ton and the spot marked by a handsome monument. — Ed. 



426 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



the Confederacy, of the sailing of the Banks expedition from 
New York for Texas, and requested an order from him for two 
batteries of light artillery, then at Columbus, Miss. 

In view of the expected invasion, I wrote General Magruder 
December 6th: 

"The Confederate States troops at this time within the State, 
and the State troops, are probably sufficient for its defense; but 
they are all of them to some extent, and some of them wholly, 
destitute of arms. Baylor's command is without any arms at 
all. The brigade known as Sibley's, who may now be considered 
as veterans, are not half armed; and the same may be said of 
every other regiment in the State. ... I have not thought 
it out of my line of duty to urge upon you, and through you on 
the War Department, the wants of our State, and the importance 
of their being promptly supplied. At least 15,000 stand of arms 
are needed to equip fully the forces in the State and the new 
levies about to be raised. . . . I do not think that I over- 
estimate the importance of Texas to the Confederacy, or the 
interest the government should feel in preventing its being over- 
run by the enemy. Almost all the only sure trade and communi- 
cation between the Confederacy and the outside world is through 
her western frontier into Mexico. Her wheat fields and her hog 
and cattle ranches contribute largely to feed the armies ; her wool 
and her cotton factories clothe them, in part ; her sons have not 
been behind the foremost at the call of duty, and have poured 
their blood, like water, upon the battlefields of liberty. She de- 
serves a better fate at the hands of the authorities than to be left, 
with the old men and boys, to defend herself, while denied the 
means of effectually doing it." 

Whereupon the General, without delay, wrote General Holmes 
(at Little Rock), commander of the Trans-Mississippi Depart- 
ment: 

"A large expedition, under General Banks, will arrive at Gal- 
veston probably in a few days. I find the coast and Eio Grande 
given up. With my troops well armed, I might recover im- 
portant points on the coast, and probably save the Eio Grande, 
so necessary to us. Under these circumstances, I can not but 
concur in the opinion of the Governor of Texas as to the necessity 
of keeping some well-armed troops." 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 427 



In response to this communication, Col. Chas. De Morse's 
regiment (Twenty-ninth cavalry), then under orders for Fort 
Smith, was retained in Texas. My letter to General Magruder 
was enclosed in this communication to General Holmes. 

An invasion was expected by way of the coast or the Eio 
Grande, and Magruder left no stone unturned in making prepa- 
rations to meet it. On the 9th he again addressed General 
Cooper, saying: "In Baylor's command of about 500 men only 
fifty-five are armed at all. I have only 1000 Enfield rifles and 
about 300 small arms to issue," and concluding with a requisi- 
tion for 13,000 stand of arms, three batteries of rifled cannon, 
and three batteries of smooth-bore guns. General Magruder 
had won his spurs in Mexico in 1846-7 as commander of field 
batteries, and his desire for proper equipment in that arm was 
not surprising. 

The General also addressed Jas. H. Seddon, Secretary of War, 
as follows : 

"I can not ask too urgently your attention to the enclosed let- 
ter of Governor Lubbock as to the pressing need of arms for the 
troops necessary for the defense of this State. Texas, though 
she has stripped herself of her young men, who are nobly fight- 
ing the battles of the Confederacy beyond her limits, needs but 
arms in the hands of her warlike and veteran pioneers, who have 
remained at home, to enable her to defend her soil successfully ; 
but these arms she has not. All the rifles and shotguns, at one 
time in the hands of her citizens, have been sent with her troops 
to the army elsewhere, and she is now absolutely without any 
whatever, except the few with which the troops in the field here 
are badly armed." He closed by repeating his requisition for 
13,000. stand of arms, with ammunition, and the light batteries. 
He wrote to General Holmes on December 19th : "I had ordered 
Sibley's brigade to Harrisburg ... to protect the coast 
and the railway, the latter absolutely vital. . . . There are 
not more than 6000 men armed in all Texas. There ought to be 
that number alone on the Rio Grande. I was about to send an 
expedition there to regain the frontier; but if Sibley's brigade 
and Stone's and Gurley's regiments are taken from me I will not 
be able to do so. I beg, therefore, that the order alluded to by 



428 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



you, for these troops to proceed to Vicksburg, be counter- 
manded." 

A day of two later, having learned more of the contemplated 
invasion of Texas, Magruder repeated his request for the reten- 
tion of Sibley's brigade in the State, saying as to expected in- 
vasion: "I am by no means prepared [to meet it. — Ed.] by rea- 
son of the disorder and want of organization which prevails here 
on account of the removal of troops from this district. . . . 
It is scarcely necessary for me to say that great dissatisfaction 
exists in this State at the removal of armed troops from its lim- 
its, and the retention of those only who are unarmed." 

The order for their withdrawal was not countermanded; but 
before their preparations to march were completed Magruder 
planned, fought, and won the battle of G-alveston, Sibley's bri- 
gade taking an honorable and glorious part in the engagement. 
On the same day that Magruder preferred his last request, he 
wrote to me as follows : '"In view of the diminution of our forces 
by the removal of the above mentioned troops from this State, 
and of the arrival of the Federal forces momentarily expected, 
I have to request that you will call out at once all the militia 
which the State can possibly arm, and cause them to rendezvous 
at Harrisburg." 

As to this requisition, I did not consider it a new call for 
troops, but only for a rapid concentration of forces organizing 
under Hebert's last call. The necessary orders for that purpose 
were accordingly given, and Colonel Eeiley, commanding Sibley's 
brigade, speedily massed the troops at Harrisburg. Old Harris- 
burg, now full of soldiers, presented a more warlike appearance 
than when the Texan government officials were fleeing before 
the legions of Santa Anna in 1836. 

Magruder, on December 20th, issued an address to the people, 
exhorting them to fight to the last extremity, and showing, by 
a review of Butler's rule in Louisiana, that no submission, how- 
ever abject, would save them from insult and spoliation of prop- 
erty, if the enemy were permitted to once gain control of the 
State. "The line of seaboard, from the Sabine to the Colorado," 
said he, "must be held at all hazards." He said that General 
Banks had landed at New Orleans with 20,000 men, and would 
almost certainly advance on Texas. And as to the duty of all 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 429 



Texans, under the circumstances, he said: "Texans, need I tell 
you what reception to give these men? Wait not for orders, but 
attack them at once, and furiously, wherever they shall be 
found." A sentiment, this, worthy of ancient Rome in her 
palmiest days. 

The coast country designated was marked on the north by the 
railway line from Orange, on the Sabine, to Columbia, on the 
Brazos, and thence by a straight line to Texana, Victoria, and 
Refugio. All negroes were ordered removed from this district, 
and all surplus corn found there collected, paid for, and brought 
in for the use of the army. 

Under Magruder's orders all cotton, tobacco, and property of 
every kind in the coast country was to be destroyed whenever it 
became necessary to prevent its falling into the hands of the en- 
emy. This was an outlining of desperate measures, but his plans 
were the outgrowth of and justified by necessity, and were sanc- 
tioned both by military law and the laws of his country. Had 
such sacrifices become necessary the people would have cheerfully 
made them. Happily, however, Magruder did not find it neces- 
sary in Texas to practice the Russian plan of defense, viz., de- 
stroy everything before an invader. 

Consulting Engineer C. G. Forshey, on Christmas day, after 
due exploration of Galveston Bay and adjacent waters, and con- 
sultation with General Magruder, thus wrote Colonel De Bray, 
commanding at Virginia Point : 

"General Magruder directs that you summon Capt. Leon 
Smith, and direct him to prepare the Bayou City for service im- 
mediately; to put a platform on the boat for the thirty-two- 
pounder rifled cannon, which will be sent to Harrisburg to-mor- 
row ; to prepare the Neptune in like manner for the two twenty- 
four-pounder howitzers, now at Harrisburg. He will use cotton 
on the decks of both to give the appearance of protection, and 
not wait to fasten it, if it costs time. For this purpose he will 
use all the mechanics and other force that can be worked with 
advantage, taking the material and property needed by seizing it, 
if necessary. . . . He will call for 150 volunteers for each 
boat, taking citizens and soldiers from all quarters. . . . He 
will use the small arms already given him. . . . He will be 



430 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



read}'' to move at noon day after to-morrow to take part in an at- 
tack ujjon the fleet, if things do not change. . . . The cox- 
swain of the Owasco, a deserter;, says the fleet can be easily driven 
out of the harbor, and he is anxious to take part and lead a cot- 
ton boat in the fight. . . . He will not prove false; if he 
does, he dies. He wishes to serve the gun himself. Take him 
on board, but do not let him go near the gun. Treat him kindly, 
and let him remain near the captain. Take any man's cotton, 
unless it can be bought. I prefer Major Smith to go in com- 
mand of both boats. . . . Keep the coxswain, Monroe, from 
liquor. Colonel De Bray will order down such unarmed men of 
Sibley's brigade as can be spared. Captain Good has still some 
Mississippi rifles, or other small arms, on hand. Let him issue 
them to Major Smith, to arm his vessel. Tell the editors of 
papers not to publish a word as to army movements in this State. 
Colonel De Bray will be sent for, if there is a fight. Send the 
message to Colonel Hardeman at Columbus, and no farther." 

On the same day General Magruder, then at Virginia Point, 
wrote to Major Shea, at Lavaca, to burn the railroad ties at In- 
dianola and Lavaca ; move a cavalry battalion, without their 
horses, from near Victoria to Lavaca, and burn or destroy the 
lighthouses at Saluria.and Pass Cavallo, and all the houses at 
Pass Cavallo, if practicable. He also wrote to Major Hobb}^ at 
Corpus Christi, instructing him to destroy the lighthouse at 
Aransas, and to Colonel Buchel, near Brownsville, to destroy the 
lighthouse on Padre Island. 

I had managed about the middle of December to visit Houston, 
and there, for the first time, met General Magruder. We had a 
long and satisfactory conference over the situation and needs 
of the State. It was gratifying to me to find in General Ma- 
gruder the characteristics of a true patriot, a courteous gentle- 
man, and a gallant soldier. My views had already been given 
him in extenso in my letter of December 6th. I cordially ap- 
proved his plan to recapture Galveston, and it was the under- 
standing that I should accompany him when he was ready for 
the enterprise. Meanwhile, I had to return to the capital on 
pressing official business ; and on my arrival at Austin was con- 
fined to my bed with a severe attack of inflammatory rheuma- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 431 



tism, the result of cold**^ contracted the night before I left Hous- 
ton. My physician was summoned without delay, and he per- 
emptorily forbade my leaving the house for a couple of weeks. 
Thus I lost the opportunity of sharing the dangers and glory 
of the victory at Galveston. Captain Turner, Magruder's chief 
of staff, knowing, perhaps, my helpless condition, did not even 
notify me (although he had promised to do so) when everything 
was ready. 



*■ Caused by exposure on the wet and muddy streets, on being aroused 
from sleep to quell a riot at the jail, excited by a crowd of soldiers clam- 
oring for the release of a popular comrade. 



432 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR. 

Battle of Galveston — General Magruder Leads the Land Forces in Per- 
son and Commodore Smith Commands the Cotton-Clads — A Glorious 
Victory — Official Reports from Both Sides — The Blockade Raised — 
General Magruder Congratulated by General Houston and Others — 
Naval Attack on Galveston — The Alabama — The Hatteras Sunk — 
Battle Ofif Sabine Pass and Confederate Victory — Magruder 's Reports 
and Recommendations — Results of the Month's Campaign. 

A combined attack upon Galveston by land and sea was Ma- 
gruder's plan. Finally all the preparations were completed. 

On the morning of the 31st of December, 1863, he assigned 
Capt. Leon Smith®'^ to the command of the Confederate flo- 
tilla on Buffalo Bayou, consisting of the steamboats Bayou City 
and Neptune, and the tenders John Carr and Lucy Gwinn. Com- 
modore Smith was an experienced naval officer, and had already 
rendered good service for Texas at Indianola and elsewhere. 
Smith's promotion to so important a command at this time was 
therefore a deserved recognition of merit, amply justified by his 
subsequent career. 

The cavalry regiments of Colonels Tom Green and A. P. 
Bagby furnished the volunteers (300 in number) needed as ma- 
rines. Colonel Green, on the Bayou City, was the ranking army 
officer, and commanded all the land forces on the steamers. Col- 
onel Bagby was the immediate commander of the troops on the 
Neptune, which also had on board an artillery company under 
Lieutenant Harby. 

8 '' Leon Smith was born in Alfred, Maine; went to sea at thirteen, 
and at the age of twenty commanded the United States mail steamship 
Pacific, running between San Francisco and Panama; was later commo- 
dore of the Morgan line of steamships running from New York to Gal- 
veston; was commander of the Rusk at the beginning of the war; won 
distinction as a Confederate naval officer by his skill and bravery in the 
capture of the Star of the West, and able and gallant services on other 
occasions; and after coming out of the war unscathed and with honor 
bright, was basely murdered by an Indian at Fort Wrangle, Alaska, in 
December, 1869. His body was brought to Texas, and has since rested 
in the city cemetery at Houston. Commodore Smith was undoubtedly 
the ablest Confederate naval commander in the Gulf waters. — Ed. 



L UBB O CK'S MEMOIRS. 



433 



The Carr, Captain Lawson, had on board one company of in- 
fantry, and the Lucy Gwinn was simply used as a hospital boat. 
Nearly all the troops were veterans of Sibley's brigade and in- 
ferior to none in the Confederate service. As a protection to 
the pipes and engines, cotton bales were placed across the for- 
ward decks and on the guards. Vessels so defended were then 
and afterwards very properly designated as "cotton-clads." 



^ 




COMMODORE T^EON SMITH, C.S.N. 



Later in the afternoon General Magruder and staff boarded 
the cars at Houston for the coast. At Sunset Station the gen- 
eral dispatched a courier to Morgan's Point with orders to Com- 
modore Smith to proceed with his fleet to the upper part of Gal- 
veston Bay, and there wait until the sound of cannon announced 
that the land attack had begun, and then immediately engage 
the Yankee vessels in the harbor. 

At dusk. General Magruder and suite arrived at Virginia 
Point, the rendezvous of the land troops. 

The army at once began to move across the bridge to the island. 
28 



434 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



A slight delay was caused by the mules hitched to the guns prov- 
ing refractory and refusing to go upon the bridge. The animals 
were quickly unharnessed, and some of Elmore's men drew the 
artillery over. With fifteen or twenty pieces of cannon, including 
six siege guns, the march of the army was necessarily slow. 

Magruder had, a few nights Ijefore, with eighty picked men, 
entered the city of Galveston and made a thorough reconnois- 
sance of the ground and the position of the enemy. 

The Yankees, about 300 strong, were stationed at the end of 
a long wharf, crowded into large buildings, the entire position 
well covered by the guns of the steamships, and the approaches 
guarded by two lines of strong barricades. Communication from 
the shore was rendered difficult by the removal of portions of 
the wharf in front of the barricades. It would be necessary for 
an attacking party to wade through the water to reach the wharf, 
and to devise some means to mount upon it when reached. For 
the latter purpose Magruder distributed fifty scaling-ladders 
among the men of the storming party. Most of the cannon, to- 
gether with a railroad-ram armed with an eight-inch Dahlgren, 
were transported along the railroad track to within a convenient 
distance of the enemy. 

The most impartant objective point to be carried was Fort 
Point, at the mouth of the harbor. The plan was for Captain 
Fontaine (of Cook's regiment), with six companies of Pyron's 
regiment, to lead the attack on this position, while Wilson's bat- 
tery of six pieces opened on the enemy from the Center wharf, 
and Colonel Cook, with 500 men and the scaling-ladders, stormed 
the wharf on which the enemy's land forces were barricaded. 

"Leading the center assault in person, I approached within 
two squares of the wharves," says General Magruder, "at which 
point I directed the horses of the field pieces to be removed from 
them and placed behind some brick buildings for shelter from the 
anticipated discharges of grape and canister. After allowing the 
lapse of what turned out to be ample time for Captain Fontaine 
to reach and occupy his more distant position, the guns were 
placed along a line of about two and one-half miles, principally 
within the limits of the city. It having been agreed that the fire 
of the center gun should furnish the signal for a general at- 
tack, I proceeded to carry out this portion of the plan by dis- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 435 



charging the piece myself. The signal was promptly responded 
to by an almost simultaneous and very effective discharge along 
the whole line. The moon had by that time gone down, but still 
the light of the stars enabled us to see the Federal ships. The 
enemy did not hesitate long in replying to our attack. He soon 
opened on us from his fleet with a tremendous discharge of shell, 
which was followed with grape and canister. Our men, however, 
worked steadily at their guns under cover of the darkness. Col- 
onel Cook now advanced with his storming party to the assault ; 
his men, wading through the water and bearing with them their 
scaling-ladders, endeavored to reach the end of the wharf on 
which the enemy were stationed. Colonel Cook was supported 
by Griffin's battalion, and by sharpshooters deployed on the 
right and left in order to distract the enemy's attention. A 
severe conflict took place at this point, our men being exposed 
to a fire of grape, canister, and shell from the ships, as well as 
of musketry from the land forces. The water was deep, the 
wharf proved higher than was anticipated, and the scaling-lad- 
ders, as was reported to me by Colonel Cook, were found to be 
too short to enable the men to accomplish their object. After an 
obstinate contest, the infantry were directed to cover themselves 
and fire from the buildings nearest the wharf, which was accord- 
ingly done. 

"The enemy's fire was deadly. The ships being not more than 
300 yards from our batteries, it was extremely difficult to main- 
tain the position we had assumed, and some of the artillerymen 
were driven from their pieces. As daylight, which was now ap- 
proaching, would expose these men still more to the enemy's fire, 
and as our gunboats had not yet made their appearance, I or- 
dered the artillery to be withdrawn to positions which afforded 
more protection, but from w^hich the fire could be continued on 
the adversary with greater advantage to us. Knowing Captain 
Fontaine to be in a position the most exposed of all, I at the same 
time dispatched a staff' officer with instructions to have his pieces 
likewise withdrawn. This order reaching Captain Fontaine's 
men before it was received by their captain, and the concentrated 
fire from the enemy's ships but a few hundred yards distant hav- 
ing increased in intensity, they were compelled to leave their 



436 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



pieces. They were, however, soon formed by Captain Fontaine 
in a position of greater security. 

"The delicate duty of withdrawing the pieces in the city from 
the close vicinity of the enemy was intrusted to Brigadier-Gen- 
eral Scurry, who performed it with skill and gallantry. Prepara- 
tions were then ordered for the immediate fortification and per- 
manent occupation of the city. But at this moment, our fire still 
continuing, our gunboats came dashing down the harbor and en- 
gaged the Harriet Lane, which was the nearest of the enemy's 
ships, in the most gallant style, running into her, one on each 
side, and pouring on her deck a deadly fire of rifles and shotguns. 
The gallant Captain Wainwright fought his ship admirably. He 
succeeded in disabling the Neptune, and attempted to run down 
the Bayou City, but he was met by an antagonist of even su- 
perior skill, coolness, and heroism. Leon Smith, ably seconded 
by Captain [Henry S.] Lubbock, the immediate commander of 
the Bayou City, and by her pilot. Captain McCormick, adroitly 
evaded the deadly stroke, although as the vessels passed each 
other he lost his larboard wheelhouse in the shock. Again the 
Bayou City, while receiving several broadsides almost at the can- 
non's mouth, poured into the Harriet Lane a destructive fire of 
small arms. Turning once more, she drove her prow into the 
iron wheel of the Harriet Lane, thus locking the two vessels to- 
gether. Followed by the officers and men of the heroic volun- 
teer corps, Commodore Leon Smith leaped to the deck of the 
hostile ship, and, after a moment of feeble resistance, she was 
ours. The surviving officers of the Harriet Lane presented their 
swords to Commodore Leon Smith on the quarter-deck of the 
captured vessel. After the surrender, the Owasco passed along- 
side pouring into the Harriet Lane a broadside at close quarters, 
but she was soon forced to back out by the effect of our mus- 
ketry. 

"Commodore Smith then sent a flag to Commodore Eenshaw, 
whose ship had in the meantime been run aground, demanding 
the surrender of the whole fleet, and giving three hours' time to 
consider. These propositions were accepted by the commanding 
officer, and all the enemy's vessels were immediately brought to 
anchor, with white flags flying. Most of this time was occupied 
in attempting to get the Harriet Lane to the wharf in order to 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 437 



remove the wounded to a place of safety. The ships and boats 
were so much damaged that this was found to be ahnost impossi- 
ble with the means at hand. Proceeding myself to the wharf, I 
met one of my most distinguished and scientific staff officers, 
Maj. A. M. Lea, who informed me that on board the Harriet 
Lane he had found his son, the second in command, mortally 
wounded. He represented to me that there were other officers 
badly wounded, and urged me to delay, if possible, their re- 
moval. It now being within an hour of the expiration of the 
period of truce, I sent another flag to Commodore Renshaw, 
whose ship was among the most distant, claiming all his vessels 
immediately under our guns as prizes, and giving him further 
time to consider the demand for the surrender of the whole fleet. 
This message was borne by Colonel Green and Captain Lubbock. 
While these gentlemen were on their way in a boat to fulfill their 
mission. Commodore Renshaw blew up his ship and was himself 
accidentally blown up with it. They boarded the ship of the next 
in command, who dropped down the bay, still having them on 
board, and carried them some distance toward the bar, while 
still flying the white flag at the masthead. 

"In the meantime. General Scurry sent to know if he should 
fire at the ships immediately in his front at the expiration of the 
period of truce. To this I replied in the negative, as another 
demand under a flag of truce from me had been sent to the 
commodore. When the first period of truce expired, the enemy's 
ships under our guns, regardless of the white flags still flying at 
their mastheads, gradually crept off. As soon as this was seen, 
I sent a swift express on horseback to General Scurry, directing 
him to open fire on them. This was done with so much effect 
that one of them was reported to have sunk near the bar, and the 
Owasco was seriously damaged. 

"I forward a correspondence on this subject between Com- 
modore Bell and myself. In this correspondence Commodore 
Bell states that the truce was violated l)y the firing of cannon 
and small arms by our men on shore, as he had been informed. 
This is an error ; not a gun or small arm was discharged during 
the stipulated period, or until the enemy's vessels were discovered 
to be creeping off out of the harbor. Commodore Leon Smith 
fired a heavy stern gun at the retiring ships with effect from the 



438 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Harriet Lane. Jumping on board the steamer Carr, he pro- 
ceeded to Bolivar channel and captured and brought in (in the 
immediate presence of the enemy's armed vessels) the two barks 
and schooner before spoken of. As soon as it was light enough to 
see, the land force surrendered to General Scurry. 

"We thus captured one tine steamship, two barks, and one 
schooner. We ran ashore the flagship of the commodore, drove 
off two war steamers, and sunk another, as reported, all of the 
United States navy, and the armed transports, and took 300 or 
400 prisoners. The number of guns captured was fifteen, and. 




GEN. TOM GREEN, C.S.A. 



being found on Pelican Spit, a large quantity of stores, coal, and 
o1her material also was taken. The Neptune sank; her officers 
and crew, with the exception of those killed in the battle, were 
saved, as were also her guns. The loss on our side was 26 killed, 
and 117 wounded. Among the former was the gallant Captain 
Weir, the first volunteer for the expedition. The alacrity with 
which officers and men, — all of them totally unacquainted with 
this novel kind of service, and some of whom had never seen a 
ship before, — volunteered for an enterprise so extraordinarily 
and apparently desperate in its character, and the bold and dash- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 439 



ing manner in which the plan was executed, are certainly deserv- 
ing of the highest praise. 

"Although it may appear invidious to make distinctions, I 
nevertheless regard it as a duty to say that too much credit can 
not be bestowed on Commodore Leon Smith, whose professional 
ability, energy, and perseverance, amidst many discouraging in- 
fluences, were so conspicuously displayed in the preparation for 
the attack, while in its execution his heroism was sublime. In 
the latter he was most ably and gallantly seconded by Colonel 
Green, commanding the land forces serving on board of our fleet; 
by Captain Lubbock, commanding the Bayou City ; by her pilot, 
Captain McCormick; Captain Wier, commanding the artillery; 
Captain Martin, commanding dismounted dragoons, and by the 
officers and men on board of that boat. Though in the case of 
the Neptune the result was not so favorable, her attack on the 
Harriet Lane was equally bold and dashing, and had its weight 
in the capture. Colonel Bagby, commanding the land troops on 
board the Neptune; Captain Sangster; her pilots. Captains Swift 
and McGovern ; Captain Harby, and the officers and crew of the 
ship, likewise deserve, as they have received, my thanks for their 
participation in this brilliant battle. The engineers, among 
whom Captain Seymour, of the Bayou City, and C*aptain Con- 
ner, of the Neptune, were distinguished by remarkable coolness, 
skill, and devotion in the discharge of their important duties. 

"In the land attack especial commendations are due to Brig.- 
Gen. W. E. Scurry, Col. X. B. De Bray, Major Von Harten, 
Cook's regiment of artillery; Captain Fontaine, Cook's regi- 
ment; MaJ. J. Kellersberg, of the engineer corps; also to Col- 
onels Cook, Pyron, Lieutenant-Colonel Abercrombie, command- 
ing Elmore's men ; Major Griffin, Major Wilson, of the artillery ; 
Captain Mason, Captain McMahan, and to the accomplished and 
devoted Lieutenant Sherman, who fell at his piece mortally 
wounded, and to privates Brown and Shoppman, of Daly's com- 
pany of cavalry, the latter of whom kept up the fire of one piece 
almost without assistance, under the enemy's grape and canis- 
ter." 

The General did not forget to notice his staff officers, compli- 
menting Capt. E. P. Turner for his "conspicuous gallantry," 
and commending for their "gallantry, promptness, and intelli- 
gence," Lieuts. Geo. A. Magruder and H. M. Stanard to the 



440 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



special consideration of the government. He also acknowledged 
the services of numerous volunteer aides, including Judge P. W. 
Gray, Hon. J. A. Wilcox, M. C. ; General Howard, of the State 
trooiDS, Major Tucker, E. W. Cave, and Hon. M. M. Potter. He 
recommended to the especial consideration of the President Gen. 
John E. Baylor, for his "gallant conduct as a private, serving the 
guns during the hottest of the fight." Among others favorably 
mentioned were : Lieutenant- Colonel Manly, Major Watkins, 
and Colonel Forshey. 

The following additional account of the naval part of the bat- 
tle will give the reader a more complete idea of the engagement : 

Commodore Smith's cotton-clad fleet, cutting loose from the 
wharf at Houston about the middle of the afternoon, steamed off 
for battle with flying colors, and amid the cheers of the specta- 
tors. Military bands discoursed martial music, and the boys 
missed a good chance if, in passing the San Jacinto battleground, 
they did not respond with a rebel yell to the tune of Dixie. Col- 
onel Green himself had been one of Houston's artillerists at San 
Jacinto, and many of his men had seen service in that famous 
campaign. More than a quarter of a century had since elapsed, 
and these gallant men, ever ready, if need be, to die for Texas, 
were now hurrying on to meet a worse foe than the Mexican. 

On the way down several patriotic volunteers were taken 
aboard, among others, a son of Vice-President Lorenzo de Za- 
vala, Mr. Roper (the tax collector of Harris County), my brother 
William, and Henry's son James. At Morgan's Point the fleet 
was hailed and brought to by a mounted soldier on shore. Taken 
aboard the flagship, he proved to be a courier from General Ma- 
gruder to Commodore Smith, with this greeting : The stormers^^ 
of the land, to the stormers of the sea," and also a message stat- 
ing that the land forces would open the fight, and that the fleet 
must not engage the enemy in the bay till the signal of attack 
was heard from Magruder's guns. 

These dispatches had an exhilarating eifect, showing, as they 
did, that all arms were moving upon the enemy. 

•8 Judge P. W. Gray, at the time on Magruder's staff, said a few days 
later: "General Magruder sent from Summit Station, on the railroad, 
this dispatch to Commodore Smith and Colonel Green: ' I am off, and 
will make the attack as agreed, whether you come or not. The rangers 
of the prairie send greeting to the rangers of the sea.' " 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 441 



Passing Clopper's and Red Fish bars, the commodore soon 
sighted the enemy's fleet. Sockets were immediately sent up 
from all the Federal vessels as a signal of expected Confederate 
attack. Under orders (as before stated), the flotilla hove to and 
waited for Magruder's signal. 

"At last came the expected signal," says Capt. Henry S. Lub- 
bock, "first from a heavy cannon, and then from smaller pieces. 
We could not mistake the clear ring of the little cannon, which 
we at once recognized as the Nichols guns. Then came the 
boom, boom, of the heavy guns of the enemy, telling plainly 
that the fight had begun. 

"Our boys replied with a deafening rebel yell, and our vessels 
were at once put in motion and steamed briskly down the bay to- 
wards the hostile fleet. 

"The Bayou City, in the van, was equipped with boarding 
planks, — one on the larboard and one on the starboard side, — 
under the special charge of Commodore Smith. 

"When within about two miles of the enemy, our gun was dis- 
charged without effect. The Lane was then engaged with a shore 
battery. She immediately paid attention to us, but we were not 
touched, and kept rapidly advancing. After one discharge from 
our cannon, it was again loaded. The shot, when rammed half- 
way down, stuck in the barrel. When the match was applied the 
gun burst, instantly killing Captain Weir and two of the gun- 
ners who were working it. The body of Captain Weir was 
found on the deck after the explosion; those of the men were 
doubtless blown overboard, as they were nowhere to be seen. LTn- 
expected and tragic as this event was we could bestow little at- 
tention upon it. We were now approaching the Lane at a lively 
rate of speed, high steam and a strong ebb tide sweeping us down 
the bay. 

"When about 800 yards off, I shaped our course for the docks, 
abreast of which the Lane was anchored. I wished to run below 
the vessel, turn, and come up, with the tide against us ; but per- 
ceiving there was too much risk in that movement, and being 
only about 500 yards from the Lane, I pointed the Bayou City 
directly for her. The swift current carried us past the Lane, 
the two vessels grazing, and our wheel-house being torn off. At 
the critical moment the guy-rope holding our grappling device 



442 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



was not cut, and to make matters worse it was cut when too 
late. As we drifted past the Lane our men poured a deadly fire 
into her, a perfect fusilade being kept up for about a minute. 
It was at this time that tlie casualties occurred on the Lane. We 
drifted down with one wheel fouled. This was soon cleared, and 
we backed into a slip, which enabled us to turn quickly, and we 
then headed for the Lane, with the current on our bow, and our 
boat, consequently, under complete control. 

"By this time the Neptune (Captain Sangster) had come up 
to and in collision with the Lane in an effort to ram her, but 
without damage to the Lane. The !N"eptune, however, stove in 
her own prow, and, commencing to sink rapidly, drifted past the 
Lane and sunk near the wharf. In passing, Captain Harby, with 
his little brass pieces, fired away with no appreciable result. The 
infantry on the Neptune did not prevent the gunners of the Lane 
from discharging two twenty-pound Dahlgrens which she carried 
on the after-deck as stern-chasers, creating fearful havoc on the 
Neptune. The sinking of the Neptune left the Bayou City to 
battle single-handed with all the Federal vessels in the harbor. 
The Bayou City made a rush, under a full head of steam, for the 
Lane. When within easy rifle range the order was given 'shoot 
at will,' and our men opened a brisk and effective fire, and a mo- 
ment later the sharp stem of the Bayou City struck the Lane, 
carrying away a three-inch wrought-iron brace attached to the 
guard-beam and hull, and cutting into the iron water-wheel of 
the enemy. At this time, while we were fouled with the Lane, 
the Owasco came up within 200 yards and opened on us with 
shrapnel. We lost one man killed by a shrapnel bullet. Quite 
a number of shrapnels burst on our decks, embedding balls in our 
engine frame, and our heater was broken. A ten-inch solid shot 
from the Owasco passed through the Lane's cabin, striking the 
water pitcher on the sideboard, and, coming out of the port win- 
dow, struck the broken gun-carriage on the Bayou City's deck, 
and there remained. I called on Capt. J. Martin and his sharp- 
shooters to attend to the Owasco. One round from them and the 
Owasco retired. 

^'A white flag was then raised on the Harriet Lane, and im- 
mediately afterwards white flags were raised by the other vessels 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 443 



engaged. In response thereto I was (at my request) dispatched 
by Commodore Smith to make a formal demand for the sur- 
render of the enemy. I manned one of the Lane's boats with a 
crew from the Bayou City, and was pulled away to discharge this 
commission. Coming up with the Owasco, I went aboard and 
explained to her commodore, Captain Wilson, the nature of my 
visit. He replied that he was not in command of the fleet. We 
then made our way to the Clifton, and I boarded her, climbing 
up the side and through a port onto her deck. Captain Law, her 
chief officer, met me. We retired to his stateroom, and there I 
demanded the surrender of his fleet. It was then about 7 :30 
o'clock New Year's morning, 1863. The captain inquired, 'What 
are your terms?' 'We'll parole the officers and crews,' said I, 
'and give you the sailing ships for transportation, the steamers 
to remain in the harbor.' 'How much time,' asked Captain Law, 
'is given? I wish to consult with the commander of the West- 
field.' 'Two hours, or until 9 o'clock,' was the reply. 

"Our conference was witnessed by Mr. Hanna, who was a petty 
officer on board the Harriet Lane. I brought him with me, so 
that he might inform the Federal commander if he was ques- 
tioned as to the condition of the Lane. I informed Captain Law 
that he could have Mr. Hanna accompany him to the Westfield, 
which he did. 

"Leaving the Clifton, we pulled for the city front. Seeing a 
force of our men ashore, back of Khun's wharf, and some of them 
wading in the water, I stopped at the end of the wharf for the 
purpose of procuring a courier and sending word to General Ma- 
gruder of the exact condition of affairs. On reaching the wharf, 
I found that there were no steps leading up to it from the water's 
edge. As the tide was low, the distance to the platform of the 
wharf was considerable. I was very tired, and would have found 
it difficult, if not impossible, to climb up the smooth piling. I 
was saved the trouble of making the attempt. A tall soldier 
leaned over the docks, reached down his hand, and said, very po- 
litely, 'Let me assist you, sir.' With his aid I swung onto the 
dock. He introduced himself as Colonel Burrill, of the Forty- 
second Massachusetts, and requested that the same terms which 
were given to the fleet be extended to his regiment. 



444 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



"My reply was, 'I have nothing to do with the hind forces. 
What officer is in front of a^ou?" He replied, 'General Scurry, 
and if you desire it, we will walk out and see him.' 

"Whereupon we walked out on the string-pieces, — all the 
planking on the wharf having been taken ujj. 

"Observing our approach, an officer was sent forward to meet 
us. When he was informed of our names and rank, and that we 
wished to see General Scurry, he requested us to advance. As 
soon as we made our way from the wharf to the shore, we were 
met by General Scurry and staff, and I introduced Colonel Bur- 
rill, and told General Scurry that he desired the same terms 
that were given the fleet. 

"Scurry looked in a quizzical way at me, for he, of course, was 
in the dark as to what had been done by the marine forces. I 
repeated to him (what 1 had already told Colonel Burrill) the 
details of the victory won by our men on the water. 

"Scarcely had the words passed my lips before the General's 
adjutant, Lieutenant Jones, taking in the situation, said, in an 
audible whisper: 'General, make the surrender immediate and 
unconditional.' 

"Then Scurry talked to Burrill for about a minute in such a 
fatherly way that it soothed the sting of defeat in the Colonel's 
breast, and I am certain he returned to the wharf a happier man 
than when he left it a few moments before. 

"In order that I might take the news to General Magruder, I 
was furnished with a mount and an orderly to conduct me to 
headquarters, located in the handsome residence of Colonel Nich- 
ols. We made our way there without any loss of time. 

"General Magruder walked out of the house to meet us. I had 
been lifted out of the saddle, and Turner, Foster, and others of 
the General's military family were almost carrying me in their 
arms. The General espied me, caught me in his arms, and 
hugged me as a father would a long-lost boy. 

" 'How fares the day, Captain ?' said he. 

" 'We have won the fight. General.' 

" 'How is that ? What do vou mean ? Where is the Bayou 
City?' 

" 'General,' I replied, 'she is alongside her prize, the Harriet 
Lane.' 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 445 



"What a ripple of delight ran through the party. They were 
at breakfast when I arrived. I was hungry, and it did not re- 
quire a second invitation to cause me to drop into a chair and do 
ample justice to the viands that were spread upon the table, 
while the General rolled out questions at a rate that none but he 
could do, and the answers all pleased him. 

"Breakfast through, the general expressed a desire to see the 
prize. 

"We left the house, proceeded to the wharf, and embarked for 
the prize. The party consisted of Gen. J. Bankhead Magruder, 
his adjutants Captains Turner and Foster, and myself and boat's 
crew. I was steering the gig and so shaped our course as to pass 
within about fifty feet of the Owasco, on the port side. As we 
passed her I raised my cap, the General and staff officers fol- 
lowed suit, and the captain and officers on board the Owasco 
acknowledged the salute. A few strokes of the oars left the ves- 
sel astern. 

"Commodore Smith had caused the Lane to be docked, and 
when we arrived at that vessel's side he was in a very audible 
voice counting the prisoners as they were passed ashore. 

"The General. Captains Turner, Foster, and myself, went on 
board the Lane and visited the cabin, where we had a very social 
chat. 

"An answer was due from Captain Law at 9 o'clock, and it 
was near that hour, so I informed the General, who thereupon 
said to me : 'Tell them, sir, that we have two more rams coming 
down the bay, and now in sight, a large land force in reserve, 
and nothing remains for them to do but to surrender.' Turning 
around, the General saw Col. Tom Green, and said : "Colonel, go 
with Captain Lubbock.' Lieutenant Shephard, Colonel Green's 
aide, was at his request permitted to accompany us. 

"We started down the bay and caught up with the Owasco, then 
under way (with a white flag at her masthead), slowly feeling 
her way out of the harbor. 

"We boarded her, and I said to Captain Wilson : 'I expected to 
find you at anchor; the time of stipulation is not up.' 

"He replied : 'You are mistaken, sir ; you entered into no stip- 
ulation with me.' On reflection, I acknowledged mv error. 



446 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



"We left the Owasco and pulled for and boarded the Clifton 
while she was slowW steaming out of the bay, with a flag of 
truce il^ang at her masthead. 

"I asked Captain Law where he was going. 

" 'To sea/ was his answer. 

" 'You are breaking the stipulation,' was my rejoinder. 

" 'No, sir ; I am acting under orders of my senior.' 

"Captain Law evidently alluded to Captain Renshaw of the 
United States steamer Westfield, whom he consulted after the 
demand was made for surrender. 

"The Westfield was aground off Pelican Spit at the time she 
was communicated with by Captain Law. The tide was then 
running ebb, and it was impossible to get her afloat. The work 
of transferring the officers and men of the Westfield to the sail- 
ing ship was commenced prior to Captain Law leaving the West- 
field and returning to his vessel, the Clifton. Captain Renshaw 
and a boat's crew remained on the Westfield for the purpose of 
destroying the vessel rather than let her fall into our hands. 
In accomplishing the destruction of the vessel the captain lost 
his own life and the lives of a portion of his boat's crew. After 
pulling away from the vessel, he returned to it, the magazine 
not having blown up as he had planned. Just as he and his men 
stepped on board to examine the fuse, the explosion occurred. 
This incident transpired while the flag of truce was flying. 

"While Captain Law and I were talking, the Clifton was pro- 
ceeding rapidly through the water and was soon at the bar buoy. 
I here noticed that Shepherd was showing signs of seasickness, 
and requested Law to slow down so that I could leave the ship. 
The vessel's headway was checked, and Colonel Green, Lieuten- 
ant Shepherd and mj^self left the Clifton, and the last incident 
of the battle of Galveston was closed. 

"I felt then, as I do now, that it was not a manly act to leave 
the harbor with the flag of truce flying. 

"On my return to the Lane. I found the Federal officer whom 
I had left with Captain Law for the purpose of accompanying 
him to Captain Renshaw. This officer's conduct was in sharp 
contrast with that of his superior. He had pledged his word to 
return, and had done so, pulling with a pair of sculls a small 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 447 



dingey from the Westfield to the Lane. I regret that I do not 
remember this officer's name. My impression is that it was 
*Hanna,' and his home Boston. 

"It would be a matter of considerable historical interest to give 
the names of all those who were on the Bayou City during the 
conflict. I regret that I can not supply them. I recollect the 
names of a few, however, and give them below : Captain Leon 
Smith, commodore of the Confederate fleet ; Henry S. Lubbock, 
captain of the Bayou City; L. C. Hershberger, chief engineer; 
John Curly, second engineer; — Evans, third engineer; — 
Haughwout, fourth engineer; M. McCormick, John Paine, and 
Drurie Specernagle, pilots, and John Donohue, fireman, the 
latter now living in this State. The military on board I have 
already mentioned."' 

The United States steamer Cambria, from New Orleans, ar- 
rived outside the bar January 2d, at 7 p. m., and cast anchor, as 
no pilot appeared to conduct her in, and a high wind and heavy 
sea rendered it unsafe to attempt an entrance into the harbor. 
This vessel had on board two companies of the First Texas cav- 
alry, horses of the Second Vermont artillery, and a great num- 
ber of men, women, and children — Union refugees who had pre- 
viously left Texas. The captain of the Cambria, ignorant of the 
Confederate occupation of Galveston, and eager to effect an an- 
chorage inshore, dispatched a boat with six men the next after- 
noon (two soldiers and four refugees) to the city for a pilot. 

"On the 3d of January," says General Magruder, "(I then on 
board the Harriet Lane), a yawlboat containing several men, in 
command of a person named Thomas Smith, recently a citizen 
of Galveston, and who had deserted from our army, was reported 
alongside. He informed me that he was sent from the United 
States transport-steamship Cambria (then off the bar) for a 
pilot, and that they had no idea of the occupation of the city 
by us. 

"I forthwith ordered a pilot boat, under command of Captain 
Johnson, to bring in this ship ; but, through a most extraordinary 
combination of circumstances, the vessel (which contained E. J. 
Davis and many other apostate Texans, besides several hundred 
troops and 2500 saddles for the use of native sympathizers) suc- 
ceeded in making her escape. 



448 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



"The man Smith, who had, it is said, several times set fire to 
the city of Galveston before he deserted, had been known as 
'Nicaragua Smith,' and was dreaded by every one. He returned 
to Galveston to act as Federal provost marshal. His arrival pro- 
duced much excitement. . . . Smith, the deserter, was tried 
regularly the next day before a general court martial, and, being 
convicted of deserting to the enemy, was publicly shot in Galves- 
ton, in accordance with his sentence. 

"The pilot boat went out under the command of a gallant 
sailor, Captain Payne, of Galveston. The enemy's ship proved 
to be a splendid iron steamer, built on the Clyde. I had ascer- 
tained from her men taken ashore that she had only two guns, 
and they were packed on deck under a large quantity of hay, and 
I anticipated an easy conquest and one of great political impor- 
tance, as this ship contained almost all the Texans out of the 
State who had proved recreant to their duty to the Confederacy 
and to Texas. The pilot boat was allowed to get close to the ship, 
when the boat was hailed and the pilot ordered to come on board. 
He hesitated, but was compelled finally to go aboard, and the ship 
then steamed away with him, leaving the pilot boat and crew un- 
molested. An effort was made to repair the disabled Harriet 
Lane in time to effect the capture of the Cambria ; but it failed 
for the want of proper workmen. The Cambria met the United 
States war vessel Brooklyn the next day and disclosed the situ- 
ation at Galveston." 

Gen. N. P. Banks says in his official report, after giving a brief 
account of the Federal disaster at Galveston : 

"I desire to call your attention now to the position of General 
Hamilton, not for the purpose of troubling you with the respon- 
sibilities connected therewith, which I am willing to assume my- 
self, but to protect my administration from infamous calumnia- 
tions propagated by men on his staff. My intercourse with the 
General has been pleasant. He is not a bad man, but lacks deci- 
sion and force of character. I have treated him with profound 
respect, up to the line of my duty. I did not, however, proclaim 
to him, nor to those associated with him, my destination. They 
ascertained that for the first time when we were in New Orleans. 
On our passage I was unable to attend to business, and passed 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 449 



with him only such courtesies as I was able to offer my own offi- 
cers and to my friends on board. Upon our arrival here, I im- 
mediately gave him a full statement of my orders and of my pro- 
posed action. He was entirely satisfied; indeed, no gentleman 
could have been dissatisfied, so full, frank, and truthful was my 
statement of my plans and my orders. His impatience, and the 
violence of those about him, led me sooner to send a detachment 
of troops to Galveston than I should otherwise have done, and is 
immediately the cause of the small loss the army has sustained 
there. This was, however, upon consultation with Admiral Far- 
ragut and General Butler, and the fullest confidence that our 
troops would be safe under the protection of the fleet. 

"General Hamilton is surrounded by men who are here for the 
basest mercenary purposes. Disappointed in their objects, they 
have been unsparing in their denunciations of the government, 
and especially of myself. They came on board the government 
transport Illinois without my knowledge and against my orders, 
and, as General Hamilton has said to me, have influence over him 
in consequence of pecuniary advances made to him while in the 
North. I desire it to be understood by the government that any 
representations made by them to the government or the people 
will be, at least, only a partial statement of the truth, if they be 
not entirely false. The strongest government in the world would 
break down under such a system of plunder as they desire to or- 
ganize. If the whole State were for the Union, it would turn 
against the government if the purposes of such men were tol- 
erated. 

"I know the difficulties of my situation, which are very nu- 
merous and very great, and intend to do my duty faithfully while 
here, — a duty from which I would, in the failing condition of my 
health, most gladly be relieved; but I can not suffer the inde- 
cency, falsehood, and corruption of these men to go without 
check. You need not be surprised, therefore, if they are ordered 
to leave the department. 

"The military gentlemen accompanying General Hamilton, 
sent to him by Governor Andrew, are reputable men. They were 
greatly disappointed when they learned the destination of my 
expedition, and were severe, if not greatly unjust, in their cen- 

29 



450 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



sures upon all concerned. My belief is that their opinion con- 
cerning Texan affairs is essentially changed since the recent 
disaster." *^'' 

In repl}^ under date of January 18, 1863, Gen. H. W. Halleck 
informed Banks that the Secretary of War had ordered General 
Hamilton's commission as Governor of Texas revoked. 

Four days after the battle of Galveston, General Magruder 
issued the following proclamation : 

"Hd'q'rs. Dist. of Texas, ISTew Mexico, and Arizona, 
Galveston, Texas, Jan. 5, 1863. 
'^Vhereas, the undersigned has succeeded in capturing and 
destroying a portion of the enemy's fleet, and in driving the 
remainder out of Galveston harbor and beyond the neighboring 
waters, and thus raising the blockade virtually ; 

He, therefore, proclaims to all concerned that the harbor of 
Galveston is open for trade to all friendly nations, and their 
merchants are invited to resume their usual intercourse with this 
port. 

"Done at Galveston, this the fifth day of January, eighteen 
hundred and sixty-three. 

"J. Bankhead Magruder, 

"Major- General Commanding." 

Which brought forth the following : 

'TJ. S. Steam Sloop Brooklyn, 
"Off Galveston, Jan. 20, 1863. 
"Whereas, a proclamation dated Galveston, Texas, January 4, 
1863, and signed by J. Bankhead Magruder, major-general com- 
manding, declares the said port of Galveston to be open for trade 
with all friendly nations, and invites their merchants to resume 
their usual commercial intercourse with the said port of Galves- 
ton ; therefore, the undersigned hereby warns all concerned that 

s'Banksina general report, April 6, 1865, says: "I regarded the 
loss of Galveston, in its consequences, though not in the iucidents im- 
mediately attending its capture, as the most unfortunate affair that oc- 
curred in the department during my command. Galveston, as a mili- 
tary position, was second in importance only to New Orleans or Mobile. ' 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 451 



the port of G-alveston, and also Sabine Pass, as well as the coast 
of Texas, are under an actual blockade by a sufficient force of 
United States vessels; and an}- merchant vessel appearing off 
the aforesaid ports, or attemptino; to pass out from the said ports, 
under any pretext whatever, will be captured, notwithstanding 
the aforesaid proclamation, and sent into an open port of the 
United States for adjudication. H. H. Bell, 

"Comm., Com'd'g. U. S. Forces off Galveston and Coast of 
Texas." 

On the entry of his forces the morning of the battle, Magruder 
offered the use of his ambulances to the Ursuline nuns in order 
that they might remove to a place of safety. "But," says the 
General, "the noble women of the convent . . . expressed a 
preference to remain and nurse the wounded, offering their build- 
ing as a hospital. . . . The wounded of the enemy were con- 
ducted to the same hospital, and the same attentions were be- 
stowed on them as if they had been our own men. Captain Wain- 
wright and Lieutenant Lea, of the Federal navy, were buried 
with masonic and military honors in the same grave in Galves- 
ton cemetery. Major Lea, of the Confederate army, father of 
Lieutenant Lea, performing the funeral services."'^" 

While Magruder was strengthening his coast defenses against 
the probable return of the Yankees, congratulations on his great 
victory poured in upon him from almost every quarter. Doubt- 
less, the most valued of these testimonials were those from the 
hero of San Jacinto and from President Davis. General Hous- 
ton wrote to him from Huntsville, January 7, 1863 : 

'^t gives me great pleasure to mingle my congratulations with 
the many thousands that you have received. You, sir, have in- 
troduced a new era in Texas by driving from our soil a ruthless 

^o President Davis, in his "Rise and Fall of the Confederate Govern- 
ment" (volume 1, page 233), says of the distinguished Federal dead: 
"The conduct of Commander Renshaw towards the inhabitants of Gal- 
veston had been marked by moderation and propriety, and the closing 
act of his life was one of manly courage and fidelity to the flag he bore. 
. . . Captain Wainwright and Lieutenant Lea, who fell valiantly de- 
fending their ship, were buried in the cemetery with the honors of war. 
Thus was evinced that instinctive respect which true warriors always 
feel for their peers. " 



452 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



enemy. You deserve, sir, not only my thanks, but the thanks of 
every Texan. Your advent was scarcely known in Texas, when 
we were awakened from our reverie to the realities of your splen- 
did victory. Its planning and execution reflect additional credit 
on your former fame, as well as upon the arms of Texas. 

^'Most sincerely do we trust that a new era has now dawned 
upon us, and that you may be enabled again to restore to Texas 
her wonted security. We hope that Texas, with so gallant a 
leader as you are. General, will yet show to the world that she is 
capable of defending her own soil, notwithstanding she has been 
drained of her only resources, which had been transferred to other 
battlefields. You will find that all Texans want is a general who 
is capable of leading them to victory; and now, having obtained 
that, I hope you will ever find them ready to second your efforts, 
and that your future may be as glorious as your past. 

"When you arrived here. General, you found our country with- 
out an organization, without plans for our defense, and our situ- 
ation most deplorable. What few resources we had were without 
organization, without discipline, and without anything that was 
calculated to render what we had efficient. You have breathed 
new life into everything ; you have illustrated to them what they 
can do, and most sincerely do I trust that the past may only be 
the dawning of the future, and I pray that und6r the guidance 
of a Divine Being you may be enabled to carry out the regenera- 
tion of Texas. It would give me pleasure. General, to call and 
pay my respects to you, were it not that I have but recently 
arisen from a sick-bed.'" 

President Davis wrote to him, January 88, 1863, from Rich- 
mond : 

"I am much gratified at the receipt of your letter of January 
6th, conveying to me the details of your brilliant exploit in the 
capture of Galveston and the vessels in the harbor. The boldness 
of the conception and the daring and skill of the execution were 
crowned by results substantial as well as splendid. Your success 
has been a heavy blow to the enemy's hopes, and I trust will be 
vigorously and effectively followed up. It is to be hoped that 
your prudence and tact will be as successful in allaying domestic 
discontents as your military ability in retrieving our position on 
the Texas coast. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 41^ 



"Your suggestions^^ will receive the favorable consideration 
due to you. 

"The congratulations I tender to you and your brave army 
are felt by the whole country. I trust your achievement is but 
the precursor of a series of successes which may redound to the 
glory and honor of yourself and our country." 

I wrote to General Magruder from Austin, January 6th: 

"Permit me to congratulate you and the brave officers and men 
under your command upon the brilliant achievement with which 
you inaugurate the new year. I think I am not vain in char- 
acterizing it as the most dashing affair of the war. You have 
fixed yourself permanently in the hearts of the Texans. This 
war has demonstrated that our soldiers are not disposed to cal- 
culate the odds against them; but this affair satisfies me that, 
worthily led, they will walk over every obstacle. The troops un- 
der your command have proved themselves the worthy comrades 
of the noble Texas brigade in Virginia." 

Among the spoils captured at Galveston were 600 barrels of 
Irish potatoes, which I requested the general to reserve as seed, 
to be distributed among the people for planting; but I heard 
nothing more of the potatoes. They were doubtless appropriated 
as rations for the troops. 

General Magruder wrote to me, under date of February 11, 
1863, acknowledging receipt of my letter, saying, among other 
things : 

"It gives me pleasure to be able to announce to you, as I now 
do, that the coast of Texas is occupied, and free for the occupa- 
tion of our troops, from the Sabine to the Rio Grande ; that the 
enemy has no longer a foothold on the soil of Texas, and that 
his blockading squadrons are his best ships, which keep at a 
respectful distance from our shores; that the Rio Grande, the 
frontier so vital to us, is strongly held by men and guns, and that 
I now entertain great hopes that I shall be able to fortify it so 
as to render it very difficult, if not impossible, for the enemy to 
take it from us. 

'1 These suggestions were submitted to the President in a letter 
dated January 6, 1863, and outlined a plan for the defense of the Texas 
coast. 



454 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



"I hope ere long to have a fleet of war vessels on that river, 
which will insure great security in that direction. 

"To the heroic Captain Leon Smith, skillfully and bravely 
supported by Captains Lubbock and Sangster of the Bayou City 
and Neptune, and to the gallant Texans under their devoted 
leaders. Colonels Green and Bagby, and Captains Weir, Martin, 
Snyder, and Harby, we are indebted for the glorious initiative of 
this campaign.'' 

He then gave information of a better state of feeling in pre- 
viously disafEected counties (Austin, Fayette, and others), and 
of his having sent the militia to their homes. 

This reference to disaffected counties requires a word of ex- 
planation. The counties alluded to were principally populated 
by Germans. Many of these had either left the land of their 
birth to escape political persecution or were the descendants of 
men who had participated in the struggle for German freedom 
in 1848, and (that noble effort failing) sought an asylum in the 
mighty bosom of Texas. All such heartily sympathized with the 
South in the defensive war she was waging, and not a few enlisted 
in the Confederate army and did valiant service in the field. But 
there was another very large class, tainted with Union proclivi- 
ties, and it was thought that had Banks succeeded in invading 
Texas they would have risen in arms and aided him. 

The blockading fleet under Commodore H. H. Bell resumed 
its station off Galveston in about a week after the battle there. 
The Yankees, out of humor about their defeat, were disposed to 
get even with the Texans in any way possible. So on the after- 
noon of January 10th their vessels moved up closer to the island, 
the Brooklyn (the flagship) opposite Fort Point; the gunboat 
Sciota one mile west, and the gunboat Uncas one mile west from 
tlie Sciota. Without a moment's notice to remove the women and 
children, these vessels opened simultaneous fire, the Brooklyn 
and Sciota on Fort Point and the Uncas on the south battery and 
the city, into which thirty-six shots were fired. Colonel Cook 
hurried one of the Nichols guns to the south battery, fired four 
shots with telling effect, and compelled the enemy to draw off. 
Although thus compelled to beat an inglorious retreat, the enemy 
were doubtless well pleased with their success in driving the 
women and children out of town. Many buildings were struck, 
but without serious damage, and there were many narrow 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 455 



escapes, but no lives were lost. Hundreds of noncombatants, in- 
cluding women and children, spent the night on the prairie with- 
out food or shelter of any kind. 

The next night (Sunday the 11th), the Yankees were, by way 
of amusement, throwing an occasional shell into the helpless city 
when the avenger, Captain Semmes, with the Alabama, hove in 
sight. He was at this time cruising on our coast on the look- 
out for the transports of the Banks expedition to Texas. Not 
knowing of our recapture of Galveston and the frustration 
thereby of that expedition, he came suddenly upon five Federal 
war vessels near the island. At this moment he saw a shell from 
one of the Federal steamers burst over the city, and ot once 
realized that Galveston was again in the hands of the Confed- 
erates. The Alabama began to back off, and was closely followed 
by one of the blockading vessels. 

Admiral Semmes says, in his "Service Afloat" : "At length, 
when I judged that I had drawn the stranger out about twenty 
miles from his fleet, I furled my sails, beat to quarters, prepared 
my ship for action, and wheeled to meet him. The two ships 
now approached each other very rapidly. As we came within 
speaking distance, we simultaneously stopped our engines, the 
ships being about one hundred yards apart. The enemy was the 
first to hail. 'What ship is that?' cried he. 'This is her Bri- 
tannic majesty's steamer Petrel,' we replied. We now hailed in 
turn, and demanded to know who he was. . . . We heard 

the words, 'This is the United States ship .' . . . But 

we had heard enough. All we wanted to know was that the 
stranger was a United States ship, and therefore our enemy. 
. . . Presently the stranger hailed again, and said, 'If you 
please, I will send a boat on board of you.' . . . We replied, 
'Certainly, we shall be happy to receive your boat.' While the 
Yankees were lowering their boat. Captain Semmes ordered his 
first lieutenant to tell the enemy who they were. Lieutenant Kell 
now sang out in his powerful clarion voice, through his trumpet : 
'This is the Confederate States steamer Alabama,' and turning 
to the crew, who were all standing at their guns (the gunners 
with their sights on the enemy and lockstrings in hand), gave 
the order, 'Fire !' Away went the broadside in an instant, our 
little ship feeling perceptibly the recoil of her guns. . . . 



456 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



"As a matter of course our guns awakened the echoes of the 
coast far and near, announcing very distinctly to the Federal 
admiral, — Bell, a Southern man who had gone over to the en- 
emy, — that the ship which he had sent out to chase the strange 
sail had a fight on her hands. He immediately, we afterwards 
learned, got under way, with the Brooklyn (his flagship) and 
two others of his steamers, and came out to the rescue. 

"Our broadside was returned instantly, the enemy, like our- 
selves, having been on his guard, with his men standing at their 
guns. The two ships, when the action commenced, had swerved 
in such a way that they were now heading in the same direc- 
tion — the Alabama fighting her starboard broadside and her 
antagonist her port broadside. Each ship, as she delivered her 
broadside, put herself under steam, and the action became a 
running fight, in parallel lines, or nearly so, the ships now near- 
ing and now separating a little from each other. 

"My men handled their pieces with great spirit and commend- 
able coolness, and the action was sharp and exciting while it 
lasted, which, however, was not very long, for in just thirteen 
minutes after firing the first gun the enemy hoisted a light and 
fired an off-gun as a signal that he had been beaten. We at once 
withheld our fire, and such a cheer went up from the brazen 
throats of my fellows as must have astonished even a Texan if 
he had heard it. We now steamed up quite close to the beaten 
steamer and asked her captain formally if he had surrendered. 
He replied that he had. I then inquired if he was in want of 
assistance, to which he responded promtply that he was; that 
his ship was sinking rapidly, and that he needed all our boats. 
There appeared to be much confusion on board the enemy's ship ; 
officers and crew seemed to be apprehensive that we would permit 
them to drown, and several voices cried aloud to us for assist- 
ance at the same time." 

The beaten ship turned out to be the Hatteras, commanded 
by Captain Blake, who, in referring to the conduct of Captain 
Semmes, says: "After considerable delay, caused by the report 
that a steamer was seen coming from Galveston, the Alabama 
sent us assistance, and I have the pleasure of informing the de- 
partment that every living being was conveyed safely from the 
Hatteras to the Alabama." 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. ASft 



The Hatteras was of 100 tons burden, and a larger vessel than 
the Alabama, but each carried the same armament — eight guns. 
The crew of the Hatteras was 108 strong; that of the Alabama 
110. 

The Yankees reported two killed and five wounded. The Con- 
federates had only one man wounded. Captain Semmes' human- 
ity on this occasion contrasts strongly with Captain Winslow's 
barbarity toward the Alabama's drowning crew in the English 
Channel in June, 1864, a year and five months later. 

"As soon as the action was over," continues Captain Semmes 
in his account of the defeat of the Hatteras, "and I had seen the 
Hatteras sink, I caused all lights to be extinguished on board 
my ship, and shaped my course again for the passage of Yucatan. 
In the meantime the enemy's boat which had been lowered for 
the purpose of boarding me, pulled in vigorously for the shore as 
soon as it saw the action commence, and landed safely ; and Ad- 
miral Bell with his three steamers passed on either side of the 
scene of action, — the steamers having scattered in the pursuit 
to cover as much space as possible. ... As one of the steam- 
ers was returning to her anchorage ofl^ Galveston the next morn- 
ing in the dejected mood of a baffled scout, she fell in with the 
sunken Hatteras, whose royal masts were just above the water, 
. It told the only tale of the sunken ship which her con- 
sort had to take back to the admiral. The missing boat turned 
up soon afterwards and the mystery was then solved." 

It had now become apparent that the Texas coast had no 
laurels for the Yankee naval commanders. 

Commodore Bell, off Galveston, on January 21st, issued a 
proclamation which recited that whereas the city of Galveston 
was held and occupied by Confederate troops who were erecting 
defenses in and around said city, in defiance of the laws of the 
United States, foreign consuls, foreign subjects, and all other 
persons concerned, were warned that the city and its defenses 
were liable to be attacked at any time by the forces under his 
command, and that twenty-four hours were given, from 5 p. m. 
that day, for innocent and helpless persons to withdraw. This 
caused considerable excitement, and was followed by a stampede 
of non-combatants. 

The spirits of the troops, however, were high, and they were 



458 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



eager for fight. One of the men wrote home : "Our batteries are 
enlarged, improved, and greatly secured; our fleet-boats lie 
dreamily upon the tide, but ready at any moment to growl forth 
an angry defiance; our soldiers, confident in the skill, judgment, 
and courage of our commanding general and the officers under 
him, regard the enemy outside the bar with a speculative eye, 
calculating the number of good coats aboard, variety of grub, 
and the time of division." 

On the 29th the Brooklyn, with the gunboats Owasco, Katah- 
din, Sciota, and Itasca, attacked our batteries. The Brooklyn 
opened fire with three well directed shots at Fort Scurry (situ- 
ated at the foot of Market Street), which was returned by a ten- 
inch Columbiad, one shot passing close to one of the gunboats. 
The fight lasted an hour, the Federals firing forty-four shots, 
aimed chiefly at our defenses. A few, however (whether inten- 
tionally or from the motion of the vessel is not known), were so 
directed that they struck in the city, causing some damage. Be- 
yond the killing of one of our horses, there were no casualties 
on our side ; and, as far as known, none on that of the enemy. 

In a few days Colonel Cook, under a flag of truce, visited the 
Brooklyn and was courteously received by Commodore Bell, who, 
on being informed that the hospitals (containing Confederate 
and Federal wounded) were in range of the guns of the fleet, 
and that many women and children were in the city, apologized, 
saying that the shells were not intentionally fired into Galveston, 
but had been aimed by the gunners at the Harriet Lane in the 
harbor and the shore batteries. 

Commodore Bell was also informed that, in the opinion of 
the foreign consuls the blockade, having been successfully broken, 
could not be re-established till they had communicated with their 
respective governments. To this last communication the commo- 
dpre made no reply, but the shelling ceased. 

The Yankees being now on the defensive. General Magruder 
wished to break the blockade off Sabine Pass, and for this pur- 
pose ordered Maj. 0. M. Watkins (one of his efficient staff offi- 
cers) to collect and assemble in Sabine Eiver, and arm and man, 
whatever boats he could procure. Only two little steamboats 
were to be had. These were the Josiah Bell, once a packet on the 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 459 



Brazos, and the Uncle Ben, a very light-draft boat that in good 
stages ascended the Sabine as far as Smith County for cotton. 

These little stern-wheelers, when piled up with cotton, took on 
board their armaments and complements of men. The larger 
vessel, the Josiah Bell, under Capt. Charles Fowler, carried a 
thirty-two-poiinder and about 300 soldiers, principally from Sib- 
ley's veteran brigade ; while the Uncle Ben, under Captain John- 
son, carried two eighteen-pounders and about 100 soldiers from 
Spaight's battalion. 

All preparations having been completed, the improvised Con- 
federate flotilla, the flagship Bell leading the way, steamed down 
the river to the Pass during the forenoon of January 20, 1863. 
Keeping quiet during the night, the expedition got under way 
early next morning, heading for the bar. Major, or Commodore 
Watkins, as he may be properly called now, discovered a Federal 
ship and schooner in the offing, several miles away, and boldly 
bore down on them. 

The Yankees, declining combat with such novel craft, turned 
sail in flight. An exciting chase at once ensued, and continued 
far out into the open sea. "When within five or six miles, at 
about 8 a. m.," says Zack Sabel, "the Bell opened fire with a 
thirty-two-pound rifle-gun, called the Magruder. Our shot fell 
short and we ceased firing. A few minutes later the enemy's ship, 
the Morning Light, opened fire on the Bell with round shot, shell, 
and grape, but all fell short. At the same time, the Bell stopped 
for the Uncle Ben to come up ; when both boats moved on to the 
attack. At this time the Yankee shot and shell were flying thick 
around the Bell. Next, the Yankee commander, finding our 
two boats were closing on him, changed his position and paid his 
compliments to Uncle Ben in a discharge of guns at her. All the 
while Lieut. K. W. Dowling (since famous for his defense of 
Fort Griffin), of the First Texas artillery. Cook's regiment, 
was doing good work with the Magruder, and meantime the 
Tiorse marines' (Sibley's brigade) were pouring volley after vol- 
ley into the helpless crew of the ship. The schooner now dodged, 
coming from the lee of the ship, and fired one shot at the Bell, 
which did not take effect. A little after 9 the Yankee ship 
struck her colors to the Bell, and simultaneously the schooner 
(Velocity or Fairy) struck hers to the Uncle Ben. I can not 



460 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



say all that might be said in regard to the boarding. I received 
the swords of the Yankee captain and first lieutenant. 

"Capt. Chas. Fowler, of the Bell, behaved with great coolness, 
as all who know him will readily believe, and gave his orders to 
his men to take good aim and waste no ammunition. The cap- 
tain of the Uncle Ben (Captain Johnson) also deserves much 
credit for his cool intrepidity. Captain Odium stood firmly at 
his post, directing the Magruder in its work of destruction. 

"I took charge of the ship, by direction of Captain Fowler, 
After the sails were furled and the ship was in tow of the Bell, 
and the schooner of the Uncle Ben, I made examination of the 
ship's condition. I found one leak, but her hull had been hit 
by a thirty-two-pound shell, which struck at the second porthole, 
on the port side, and exploded, killing one man and wounding 
five others. We have now brought the prizes all safe to the bar, 
and are ready for another fight. 

"P. S. — The names of the vessels captured are the Morning 
Light and the Velocity, the former 1500 tons and the latter 75 
or 80 tons. The ship is armed with eight thirty-two-pound 
smooth-bore guns. The schooner is armed with two twelve- 
pound brass howitzers. The schooner will make a good gunboat, 
but the ship is of too heavy draft for our use." 

In his official report of this engagement (dated January 24, 
1863) General Magruder says: 

"I have the honor to report that Sabine Pass has been cleared 
of the enemy, two gunboats which I fitted up on the Sabine hav- 
ing captured the enemy's blockading squadron, consisting of a 
twelve-gun ship-of-war and a schooner man-of-war of two guns, 
commanded by officers of the United States navy. Our boats 
pursued the enemy thirty miles at sea, during which time a run- 
ning fight was kept up. Finally getting them under fire of our 
Enfield rifles, they surrendered and never turned back to the 
Pass. 

"The expedition was under command of Maj. 0. M. Watkins, 
of my staff, and was fitted out under my orders principally by 
the gallant Leon Smith, now in command of the Harriet Lane 
and the rest of the war vessels in Galveston harbor. 

"Major Watkins reports that he captured thirteen heavy guns, 
129 prisoners, and $100,000 worth of stores. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 461 



"The commander of the Federal squadron reports that the 
severe naval engagement seen from Galveston Island a few nights 
ago was between the '290' and the United States war steamer 
Hatteras, and that the latter was sunk. Many fragments of the 
steamer floated ashore on (4alveston Island. 

"Our steamers in the late engagement were commanded by 
Captains Fowler and Johnson, sea captains of Texas, and manned 
principally by volunteers from Pyron's regiment of cavalry, 
Cook's regiment of artillery, and Spaight's battalion of infan- 
try." 

The General further said: "The perseverance, industry, and 
firmness of the commanding officer, Maj. Oscar M. Watkins, of 
the Provisional Army, were only equaled by his intrepidity, ad- 
mirable coolness, and skill in battle. Entirely unaccustomed to 
the sea, his devotion overcame all obstacles. He was ably and 
heroically seconded by Captains Fowler and Johnson, respective 
commanders of the steamers Bell and Uncle Ben; by Captains 
Odium, O'Bryan, Nolan, and Aycock, and Lieutenants Dowling 
and Aikens, of the land forces, and by the engineers, pilots, 
troops and crews of the expedition. . . Our mortal foe is 
again gathering strength for another and still another blow ; but 
the commanding general of the army of Texas is confident that 
his troops will return their blows and will astonish still more 
their enemies and the world by such evidences of skill and auda- 
city as shall make 'Texan' a better word than 'Spartan.' " 

In concluding his report General Magruder recommended that 
Major Watkins be made lieutenant-colonel in the assistant ad- 
jutant-general's department, with orders to report to him, and 
that Maj. A. M. Lea, well known to the President as a graduate 
of West Point of great merit, be made colonel. 

Major Lea was then under orders to take command of a corps 
of engineers on the Rio Grande, on which river the General was 
endeavoring to fit out a fleet of four gunboats. 

A month of incessant preparation by Magruder, and now be- 
hold the results of another month of active fighting : 

The destruction or expulsion of the enemy's land and naval 
forces at Galveston and the permanent occupation of the island 
and the eastern coast bv the Texans. 



462 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Three successive repulses of Yankee naval attacks on a city 
before pronounced untenable. 

The utter destruction of the blockading fleet off Sabine Pass 
b}^ our river cotton-clads thirty miles from land. 

The raising of the blockade on the Texas coast from the 
Brazos eastward. 

The enthusiasm of our troops raised to the highest pitch, and 
a feeling of confidence and hope restored to the people, much de- 
pressed by the do-nothing policy of his predecessor. 

The moral effects were not the least important of the results of 
the campaign. 

While perfecting, under his own direction, an elaborate sys- 
tem of fortifications in Galveston Bay, the General had also 
under serious contemplation the practicability of guarding the 
southwest frontier of the Confederacy with a fleet of cotton-clad 
gunboats on the Rio Grande. 

The Texans were now on the aggressive ; there was little repose 
for our wearied troops, and none for Magruder's indefatigable 
mind, ever on the alert to strike the assailable points of the 
enemy. 

To what cause or causes shall the accomplishment of these 
splendid results in so short a time be justly assigned? 

Not to any change in the attitude of the executive, for at all 
times and on all occasions I co-operated to the fullest extent of 
my power, no less with Hebert than with Magruder. Only I 
could never find Hebert ready. Not to any difference in the men, 
for they were all of the same mold as those who carried Ben 
Milam into Bexar and Houston into Santa Anna's camp. 

In my mind the cauSe was a difference in the military 
commanders, — the difference between a theorist and a proficient 
in the art of war. 

The Texans had at last found a leader worthy of their confi- 
dence. 

It is not hazarding much to say that this month's campaign 
(January, 18G3) is the most brilliant in the annals of Texas. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 463 



CHAPTEE TWENTY-FIVE. 

Extra Session of the Legislature — My Message in Part — Lincoln's 
Emancipation Proclamation and the Negro Question — The Texas 
Quota to the War — The Frontier Regiment — Tankee Prisoners — 
The Support of Families of Texas Soldiers — Domestic Manufacto- 
ries — Barbarities of the Enemy in Louisiana and President Davis' 
Policy of Retaliation — Frontier Defense. 

Our newspapers agitated the subject of an extra session of the 
Legislature on account of the slow response to my last call for 
troops, and to meet, by retaliatory legislation, the probable con- 
sequences of Lincoln's preliminary emancipation proclamation 
issued in September, 1862. 

Convinced of its necessity, I issued a call December 30, 1862, 
for an extra session of the Legislature, to convene on the second 
day of February, 1863, assigning no other reason than that, "in 
my opinion, the condition of public affairs, both State and Con- 
federate, rendered it necessary." 

Before the Legislature met Lincoln issued his proclamation 
declaring all slaves within the Confederate lines free, and incit- 
ing them to servile insurrection by advising them to commit no 
more violence than was necessary to assert and secure their free- 
dom. 

It became at once a matter of some concern to us to know what 
effect the proclamation would have upon the negroes, as it could 
not be kept concealed from them, and also to know what policy 
the Yankee armies would pursue in aid of the proclamation. 

The need for prompt and effective legislation was pressing. 
The members came in slowly, and organization was not perfected 
until the 5th. 

The personnel of the Legislature had undergone great changes, 
so many of the original members having gone to the war. The 
circumstances were also vastly different. 

The regular session adjourned with the hope of an early recog- 
nition of our independence, and consequent peace ; but a death 
grapple with the enemy for twelve months had followed, and the 
struggle was still in progress and its issue doubtful. 



464 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Nashville, Memphis, and New Orleans had been occupied, the 
border States overrun, and virtual control of the Mississippi se- 
cured by the enemy. Only the fortresses of Vicksburg and Port 
Hudson on the great river were left to us. Our many brilliant 
victories, dearly bought with the blood of our bravest and best, 
had only checked, without turning back, the overwhelming ad- 
vance of the Yankees. 

While the great body of our people in Texas, with the pluck 
characteristic of the stock, were still undaunted and had nerved 
themselves for any sacrifice for the cause of independence, there 
were unmistakable signs of a latent dissatisfaction at the exist- 
ing state of things, if not a positive disloyalty to the Confed- 
eracy. Our late reverses in the north and east had given these 
traitors an audacity not entirely repressed by the late glorious 
campaign on the coast. 

The Legislature having assembled in extra session, I sent into 
the two houses a carefully prepared message,'^- the following ex- 
tracts from and summarizations of which will, perhaps, prove 
interesting to the reader, as they will give him a good idea of the 
condition of the country at that time : 

I said in the opening paragraph: "It being my duty to con- 
vene the Legislature in extraordinary session when deemed essen- 
tial for the public good, I have called you together at this mo- 
mentous crisis to receive your aid and co-operation in the adop- 
tion of such additional measures as may be esteemed of vital 
importance to the country." And continued : 

''^ The Texas Republican of February 19, 1863, said editorially: "We 
have read with great pleasure the messag-e of Governor Lubbock to the 
Legislature now in session at Austin, and have only to regret that our 
space will not permit its publication entire in our columns. While we 
may not agree with all its suggestions and recommendations, there are 
so many that are valuable, it contains such evidence of profound reflec- 
tion upon the condition of the country and the difficulties that environ 
us, it breathes such a pure and lofty spirit of patriotism, that we feel 
involuntarily drawn by the strongest bonds of sympathy towards its au- 
thor, and we can not but regret that we ever had occasion, or thought 
we had occasion, to censure him. 

" As a State paper it will be regarded, in our judgment, as among 
the very best that have been produced during the war. We have seen 
no message emanating from any Governor in the Confederacy that ex- 
cels it, or is entitled to a higher meed of praise." — Ed. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 465 



"Since your adjournment the war has been prosecuted by our 
vindictive and remorseless enemy with all the means and energy 
at his command. 

"Failing in the clash of arms and shock of battle to conquer 
and subdue our people, no expedient, however miserable, con- 
temptible, and despicable, has been left untried by him to induce 
the citizens of the Confederate States to throw off their allegiance 
to the government of their choice, and espouse a cause they de- 
test and abhor. Whenever the fortune of war has placed any por- 
tion of the Confederacy in his power, after exhausting every 
means of persuasion, without success, to bring the people 'back 
to their allegiance,' he has resorted to the most unjust, oppres- 
sive, and cruel measures, — confiscation, imprisonment, and even 
the taking of life itself. Yet under all these trials our citizens, 
with a few dishonorable exceptions, have remained true and loyal 
to the Confederacy. . . . 

"From the very commencement of this war there has been a 
studied purpose on the part of Mr. Lincoln's government to 
Africanize the Southern Confederacy, which fact is now most 
plainly developed in his proclamation of the 32d of September, 
1862, in which he declares that 'all slaves shall be free in the 
States, or parts of States, found in rebellion after the 1st of 
January, 1863,' and which proclamation has been approved and 
sustained by the United States Congress, now in session, by the 
following resolution : 'Resolved, that the proclamation of the 
President, dated September 22, 1862, is warranted by the Con- 
stitution; that the policy of emancipation, as indicated therein, 
is well adapted to hasten the restoration of peace, is well chosen 
as a war measure, and is an exercise of power with a proper re- 
gard to the rights of citizens and the perpetuity of a free govern- 
ment.' " 

I took occasion also to commend the action of President Davis 
in outlawing "Beast"' Butler.'^^ 

'* Of Butler President Davis truthfully said: " He has disgraced the 
government, for his government is great enough to be just: he has dis- 
graced his country, for his name barbs the scorn of foreign enemies and 
justifies the severity of foreign friends: he has dishonored the chief 
magistrate by prescribing him to ministers of the gospel as the subject 
of their compulsory prayers; he has disgraced his sex, for not even 
30 



466 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



"I trust your honorable body will fully endorse the action of 
the President and sustain the Confederate Congress in every 
measure of retaliation that may be adopted against our foes, who 
are, in effect, fighting us under the blackest and most damnable 
of flags, — a flag upon whose folds is inscribed his intention and 
desire to incite to servile war. 

"Our Confederate laws have proved impotent to stay the 
progress of negro emancipation wherever the Lincoln soldiers 
have gone. 

"While I recognize the right of the Confederate government 
to dispose of prisoners of war taken by its armies, and that it 
would be impolitic and inadvisable for the State to interfere 
therewith, I yet think that where jjarties are taken upon our soil 
committing murder and arson and inciting to rebellion our 
servile population, the i^lea that they are soldiers of the United 
States government should not be allowed to save them from the 
same summary punishment as would be visited upon our own 
citizens, if convicted of the same nefarious crimes. . . . 

"It is too true we have to mourn the loss of many, alas, too 
many, of our best and bravest. 

"Let us, however, hope they have not died in vain, — that for 
every drop of blood so shed in the cause of freedom an armed 
man will spring up to do battle in this great struggle. Ijet us 
cherish the memories of these heroes, and ever bear in remem- 
brance that it was for our country and for our liberties they 
yielded up all that was dear to them upon earth. When peace 
shall have been restored to our fair land, let their ashes repose 
in the bosom of the State they loved so well, and upon whose 
name their deeds have shed so imperishable luster. 

"Let a hundred columns mark the spots where rest their ashes, 
the tribute of a grateful people proud of their deeds, and let them 
recount to our children's children the names of the patriots who 
yielded their lives a willing sacrifice upon the altars of Liberty. 



women have been exempt from his cruelty. If it is possible, he has dis- 
graced himself, for the most subservient tool of Southern men and sub- 
servient lauder of Southern institutions has become their most bitter 
enemy, seeking a place for the heel of power where once he licked the 
spittle of servility." 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 467 



"I beg leave to call your attention to the absolute necessity 
that exists of making further provision for the support of the 
families of those in the service. I am aware that counties have 
been very liberally providing for them tlnis far. It is, however, 
useless to disguise the fact that this burden upon them must 
daily increase with the continuance of the war; and should the 
contest be prolonged to the end of the year, it will be necessary 
that thousands more of our citizens take the field, thus increas- 
ing the number of families in every county to be provided for. 
In addition to Avhat the counties may do, I am of opinion the 
State should make a most liberal appropriation for this purpose. 
The troops in the field are the soldiers not of a particular county, 
but of the entire State, and it would be but equitable that the 
State provide for their families. This plan would also seem just 
in another view. Many counties with the smallest population are 
the most wealthy; they furnish but few soldiers, consequently; 
while other small taxing counties have a large excess of men in 
the field, and therefore many more families to provide for; 
hence, it is but just they should be cared for out of the public 
treasury. I am wedded to no particular plan by the operation of 
which the relief sought is to be afforded, but I must earnestly ad- 
vise that ample provision be made to ward off distress from the 
families of those who are nobly serving their country. That 
there will be destitution among them, unless such provision be 
made, there can be no doubt. . . ." 

I recited at length what had been done in establishing hospital 
funds for the benefit of Texas soldiers in various parts of the 
Confederacy, and commended the ladies for their noble work in 
the matter. 

Discussing another important subject, I said : 

"It may be urged that such legislative action (I had recom- 
mended that farmers be required to plant a certain portion of 
their lands in breadstuffs, and the acreage of cotton be restricted 
to not exceeding three acres to the hand) would be an unwar- 
rantable interference with a legitimate calling. I will, in reply, 
simj^ly say that 'self -preservation is the first law of nature;' and 
the axiom may, I presume, with propriety be applied to com- 
munities and States as well as to individuals; and I am con- 
vinced that, unless some such course be adopted, there will be 



468 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



famine in the land; the cry for bread will be raised; suffering 
will ensue, and the bold and brave hearts, gallantly fighting the 
fight of liberty, will be bound down and dispirited. Let me there- 
fore urge upon your honorable body to give this matter your 
most serious attention, esteeming it, as I do, of supreme import- 
ance. 

'^In connection with the foregoing subject, it is with regret I 
call your attention to the very large number of distilleries now 
in operation and being put in operation within the State. The 
number that have sprung into operation since the commence- 
ment of the war might be deemed fabulous. 

"On the 29th of May last I issued a proclamation ordering all 
such establishments to be closed, deeming it of superior import- 
ance to preserve the grain for the use of the army and people and 
save our soldiery from the pernicious effects resulting from the 
use of intoxicating liquors. I was at the same time convinced 
that in portions of the State the crop would fall very short — a 
conviction since fully verified. Upon the issuance of that procla- 
mation, most of the parties having distilleries desisted from their 
use, although some, I am informed, persisted in distilling. 

"I directed the brigadier-generals of the militia to enforce the 
proclamation. In one instance the brigadier and all others, in- 
cluding the executive, were enjoined from interfering with the 
distillery of the party who sued out the injunction ; and, inas- 
much as I had concluded, at the time service of the writ was 
made upon me, to convene your honorable body, and as there ap- 
peared to be some doubt as to my authority to suppress them, I 
determined to submit this matter for your consideration. 

"It is well known that these establishments daily come into 
competition with the county courts and with individuals charged 
with the duty of providing for our poor and the families of our 
soldiers, and that in some sections of the State they have caused 
the price of corn to rise to double its value. 

"The demoralizing effects of these distilleries, both upon our 
troops and people, are terrible, and I entreat you, in the name 
of the mothers, wives, and children of those brave and noble 
spirits now far from their homes, in the armies, and who look 
to you to guard and protect them, to suppress this outrageous 
consumption of grain and iniquitous traffic until peace is con- 
cluded. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



"My conviction is, there is but one way to effect it. The execu- 
tive must be invested with authority to close them by proclama- 
tion; and, if disregarded, he must be empowered to do so by 
means of a military force. The party who violates the proclama- 
tion should also be liable to prosecution, and subjected to a heavy 
fine and imprisonment — a fine alone would be insufficient; the 
enormous profit of the traffic would enable the party easily to 
satisfy the fine. Heavy penalties should also be imposed upon 
persons introducing into the State during the war intoxicating 
liquors, unless by special permit for medicinal purposes, for the 
use of the army hospitals." 

I denounced extortioners and monopolists as our worst ene- 
mies, saying in that connection: "They croak and complain, — ■ 
make their purchases with gold, abuse and depreciate the Con- 
federate currency, so as to obtain immense profits, — reinvest, and 
so continue. ... In the language of President Davis, 'They 
are men who can be reached by no moral influence, and are worse 
enemies of the Confederacy than if found among the invading 
forces. The armies in the field, as well as the families of the 
soldiers, and others of the people at home, are the prey of these 
mercenaries, and it is only through State action that their traffic 
can be suppressed. Their condign punishment is ardently desired 
by every patriot.' . . ." 

In view of the increasing plethora of Confederate money in 
circulation, I recommended a higher rate of taxation, and also 
favored the funding system of the Confederacy, by which the 
government notes were withdrawn from circulation. 

I recommended the passage of a law for the impressment of 
slave labor for government work, and a law to deny all aliens who 
refused to fight for us the right to hold real estate and become 
citizens of Texas. 

I approved the conscript law, and pledged myself to aid in its 
enforcement. 

I recommended that soldiers be allowed to vote wherever found 
in the army. 

After recounting my efforts and failures to have the frontier 
regiment accepted by the Confederate government, I went on to 
say in my message : 

"This regiment has performed good and efficient service. It 



470 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



has given the settlers confidence. Many good men have joined 
the Confederate service and gone beyond the limits of the State, 
leaving their families and property, because they had confidence 
in that organization and believed the State was determined to 
protect its frontier. These counties with their sparse population 
have nobly responded to the call of their country. They should 
be sustained. Unless protection be afforded them the frontier 
must recede, for just as soon as you fail to keep up a system of 
defense in your outer counties, the Indians will press forward 
upon the interior, robbing and murdering. 

"That it is the duty of the Confederate government to protect 
our frontier there is and can be no question ; but it must be borne 
in mind that we are now engaged in a desperate war, and that 
the government has need of every man she can procure to operate 
against an enemy more barbarous than the Indian, hence the 
necessity of the State authorities to look to the safety of the peo- 
ple on her exposed borders. They must be protected at all 
hazards and at any cost. Treasure must not weigh against the 
blood of our women and children. 

"The frontier regiment has entered the service for three years 
or during the war, looking to its transfer to the Confederate 
service. They are willing and expect to be transferred, should it 
be the pleasure of your honorable body. With the exercise of the 
most rigid economy the expense of keeping the regiment in the 
field up to this time has been about $800,000. I beg leave to 
suggest the following plan for the protection of the frontier in 
addition to what the Confederate government may do : Let some 
twenty-five counties, on a line from the Eed River to the Rio 
Grande, be selected ; appoint in each of such counties a captain 
and twenty men (citizens of the same), who will be sworn in as 
soldiers for service on the border; pay to each of said captains 
$750, and to each man $500 per annum; these troops to furnish 
their own horses, arms, and subsistence ; appoint one or two com- 
missioners whose duty it shall be to travel along the line, receive 
reports as to the management of the companies, their efficiency, 
and the protection they afford, paying off the companies and 
exercising a general supervision over the line. 

"This plan would give about 500 men, and would not cost the 
State exceeding $300,000 per annum, about one-fourth what it 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 471 



will cost at the present enormous prices of subsistence, etc., to 
keep a regiment like the present in the field, and would, I be- 
lieve, give protection and satisfaction to the settlers. 

"It would take but a short time to perfect this system of de- 
fense. We could then turn over the present regiment to the Con- 
federate government without much risk, and, whenever that gov- 
ernment should place upon the frontier a force adequate to its 
protection, we could disband any organization the State might 
have in service. . . ."'■* 

In referring further to the conduct of the war, I said : "Since 
that time [i. e., a date specified. — Ed.] Texas has placed in the 
field near seventy regiments of as good and true men as ever drew 
sword or shouldered rifle in defense of liberty against tyranny. 

"From accurate data, Texas has furnished to the Confederate 
States military service thirty-three cavalry and ninety infantry 
regiments, thirty of which (twenty-one cavalry and nine in- 
fantry) have been organized since the requisition of February 
3, 1863, for fifteen regiments, being the quota required from 
Texas to make her quota equal to the quotas from other States; 
besides thirteen battalions, two squadrons, and six detached com- 
panies of cavalry, and one legion of twelve companies of infantry, 
two batteries, one company unattached, one legion of two bat- 
talions, and one light battery and one regiment of artillery and 
eleven light batteries, making 62,000 men, which, with the State 
troops in actual service, namely, 6500 men, form an aggregate 
of 68,500 Texans in military service, constituting an excess of 
4T73 over the highest popular vote, which was 63,727. 

"From the best information within reach of this department 
upon which to base an estimate of the men now remaining in the 
State between the ages of 16 and 60 years, it is thought that the 
number will not exceed 27,000." I approved the recommendation 
of the adjutant -general that these be enrolled for an emergency. 

"To insure success, unity of purpose and action is absolutely 
necessary between the Confederate and State governments. 
Hence it follows that every act of any citizen or citizens calcu- 
lated to weaken the influence of the government or its officers 

"^ These practical sufrgestions of the Governor were not adopted, as 
the Legislature still hoped to transfer the frontier regiment to the Con- 
federate States.— Ed. 



472 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



with the people is, in my judgment (although it may be un- 
wittingly), aid and comfort to the enemy. Therefore, since my 
elevation to the executive chair my great aim has been to aid and 
co-operate with the Confederate authorities in all things tending 
to a proper and vigorous prosecution of the war. 

"I have had no desire to render myself conspicuous by disput- 
ing with the civil or military authorities of the Confederate gov- 
ernment on immaterial points ; but in every instance when there 
has been an apparent interference with the rights of the State, or 
an encroachment upon the functions of the executive, the atten- 
tion of the proper officers has been drawn to it, and the cause of 
complaint has been promptly removed. 

"In military matters there should be one sole head. Under 
the Constitution and laws I recognize President Davis as that 
head; and while he conducts his administration in conformity 
to the Constitution and laws, he should be sustained by the offi- 
cers, both State and Confederate, and by the people 

"The old year closed brightly for us ; the new year opened most 
propitiously. Let us be hopeful, watchful, prayerful, — let each 
and every one of us determine to forget self, and by his precepts 
and example encourage every man in the broad land to devote 
himself, his means and ability, to the service of his country. Let 
us give to our government, the government of our choice and of 
our affections, an earnest support. Let us sustain and cherish 
that patriot warrior-statesman whom we unanimously elected to 
preside over our destinies and to guide our ship of state through 
the turbulent sea of revolution, — who, by his energy and devoted 
assiduity to the welfare of the country and interests of the people, 
deserves a nation's gratitude. Let us with heart and soul resolve 
to rally around those brave and gallant captains who daily lead 
our invincible armies to victory. Let us continue to fill up their 
ranks, upon their demand, should it take our last man and our 
last dollar, looking neither to foreign nations nor the hostile 
Democracy of the ]STorth for aid. Depending alone upon God, 
our strong arms, and brave hearts, victory will soon perch upon 
our banners and an honorable peace be conquered."^^ 

■'sThe Henderson Times of May — , 1863, thus summarizes the work 
of Governor Lubbock's administration. — Ed. 

" Until after his election to his present office Governor Lubbock was 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 473 



A whole book could be written upon the frontier of Texas and 
the brave men standing between our women and children and 
the tomahawks and scalping knives of the Indians, urged on by 
brutal emissaries to destroy civilization. These men remained 
on that line faithfully performing their duty, without the stimu- 

by no means a favorite of ours, nor can we say that he is yet a great fa- 
vorite; but that lie sliould have a place in the heart of every true Texan 
and patriot we think is but his just desert. He took the helm of State 
at a period pregnant with dark forebodings. Texas was threatened 
with invasion from the north, west, and east. Aside from this, a large 
number of enemies to the Confederacy were scattered throughout the 
State who were ready at the moment opportunity offered to join the 
enemy and welcome him to our midst. In arms and munitions of war 
we were illy prepared to make successful resistance. To supply this de- 
ficiency Governor Lubbock went immediately to work. Shops for the 
manufacture of arms were established and put in operation in different 
parts of the State, and so far as small arms are concerned we are now 
in a condition to almost if not quite supply our own troops. 

"The next great difficulty that presented itself was the lack of tents 
and clothing for the army on this side the Mississippi. New Orleans 
had fallen, and the enemy had so nearly obtained control of the river as 
to render it impracticable to obtain these supplies from the other side. 
Governor Lubbock saw the difficulty, and by the exercise of the greatest 
energy and perseverance succeeded in making great additions to the 
machinery in operation at the penitentiary in Huntsville. The demand 
was soon supplied. By the time this was accomplished, the families of 
those in the service were in many cases beginning to suffer for clothing. 
By renewed energy, means were provided to meet this emergency, and 
the cloth is now being delivered and will continue to be until the fam- 
ily of every soldier making application shall be supplied with their 
quota. 

"Treasonable combinations and indications of insurrection were dis- 
covered in some parts of the State. How far the mischief extended was 
only a matter of conjecture. The only means of safety was for every 
county to be in a condition to speedily suppress any outbreak of this 
kind. To this end the Governor went to work and never ceased until 
every county applying was supplied with powder and lead. 

"But if anything were lacking to entitle Governor Lubbock to the 
undying gratitude of his countrymen and countrywomen, his last act 
has supplied the deficiency. The Military Board, of which he is the 
head, announce to the needy families of soldiers that they have pro- 
cured a vast number of cotton cards for distribution, and that the same 
are subject to the order of the county courts of every county in the 
State. 

"It is not alone from the fact that through the energy and industry 
of our Governor so many pressing wants have been met, that he is en- 



474 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Ills of military glory or the prospect of military promotion that 
was felt by those on the more renowned battlefields of the large 
armies. 

The protection of the frontier, always a question of great so- 
licitude, was peculiarly so during the war, recognizing as we did 
the danger of invasion by the Indian enemy, assisted by those 
determined to lay waste our country. The cry was continually 
coming from the settler of the danger to his wife and children. 
The Legislature was slow at times to make the necessary appro- 
priations for defense. The Confederate government was unable 
to extend the necessary protection, and refused to take and sup- 
port our magnificent frontier regiment with conditions looking 
to their remaining on our line of defense. These facts, together 
with lack of arms and ammunition in that part of the country, 
kept me anxious and active, knowing full well the importance of 
maintaining a barrier between the Indians and the settlements. 
When retiring from office, I could but congratulate the people 
and feel gratified to know that during my term so few depreda- 

titled to eulogy, but that the articles have been furnished at so low a 
figure, frequently not amounting to one-tenth the amount at which 
speculators sell the same articles. 

"In but one case has Governor Lubbock failed to meet the emer- 
gency and extend the necessary assistance; we allude to his failure to 
put a stop to the destruction of breadstuffs in the manufacture of spir- 
ituous liquors. But the fault was not with him, but owing to the fact 
that he was not properly seconded by the people. All that one man 
could do he did, and when all other means failed, as a last resort he 
called to his aid the Legislature, and failing to receive their assistance 
of course he could but yield the palm to those who felt a greater inter- 
est in the accumulation of fortunes for themselves than in the feeding 
of the wives and children of those who are in the military service of the 
country. 

" It is true that Governor Lubbock has been greatly assisted in these 
various undertakings for the good of the country, and others are entitled 
to a share of the praise, but he has been the head and front, and the 
active mover in all of them. 

"Such an officer is a boon to any State, and we can not but regret 
that he has determined not to be a candidate for re-election. Whether 
he continues in public or retires to private life, he has won for himself 
a name as a patriot and statesman that the malignity of his enemies 
will never be able to tarnish. We hope we may be able to say as much 
for his successor, whoever he may be." 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 475 



tions were committed by the savages, and that no formidable 
raids were made. 

To meet the requirements of the Confederate States army 
regulations, that each regiment should be composed of ten com- 
panies, I disbanded the frontier regiment, and on February 11, 
1863, organized from the same material another regiment (com- 
posed of ten companies), called the Mounted Eegiment of Texas 
State Troops, and mustered them into the service of the State 
for three years, or during the war. The regiment, as thus re- 
organized, was officered as follows : 

Colonel, J. E. McCord; lieutenant-colonel, J. B. Barry; major, 
W. J. Alexander; A. Q. M., W. W. Reynolds; A. C. S., C. T. 
Freeman ; A. Q. M. G., Ben Henricks ; adjutant, A. H. See. 

Captain Company A, J. M. Hunter; captain Company B, 
John Lawhorn. 

First lieutenant company C, H. Ward; first lieutenant Com- 
pany D, J. T. Rowland; first lieutenant Company E, M. B. 
Lloyd ; first lieutenant Company F, H. T. Edgar ; first lieutenant 
Company G, N. White; first lieutenant Company H, R. M. 
Whitesides ; first lieutenant Company I, J. J. Callan ; first lieu- 
tenant Company K, W. G. O'Brien. 

In remustering the regiment for three years, or the war, ex- 
pecting as I did to transfer it to the Confederate States, I 
waived the power of appointment vested in me by the law and 
gave to the men the election of their field officers. I conceived it 
would prove more satisfactory, and it was a right they would 
have had in reorganizing a new regiment for Confederate service. 
I am pleased to say that, in my judgment, they made a very good 
selection of officers. 

An act was promptly passed defining the offense of inciting in- 
surrection and prescribing the punishment therefor. The pre- 
amble of the act was as follows : 

"Whereas, in the prosecution of the unholy war now being 
waged by the United States against the Confederate States and 
the people thereof, our Enemies are seeking to bring upon us a 
servile war by arming our slaves and placing them in the ranks 
of their armies, as well as otherwise through the action of their 
government and the commissioned officers of their armies incit- 
ing insurrection r.nd insubordination ; therefore, be it enacted," 
etc. 



) 



476 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



The offense of iucitiug insurrection was defined to be, for any 
commissioned officer of the arm}'', navy, or marine service of the 
United States, during the war, to invade or enter upon with hos- 
tile intent, the territory or waters of this State, for the purpose 
of accomplishing any of the objects denounced by the act. The 
act further provided that any person so offending should, on con- 
viction, be punished by confinement in the penitentiary not less 
than five nor more than fifteen years; and that onlv such per- 
sons should be subject to be tried under its provisions as might 
be turned over by the Confederate authorities to the State, and 
that the persons so convicted should, at any time after conviction, 
be delivered on demand of the President to the Confederate 
authorities. 

Yankee officers continued to be brought in as prisoners, but 
none of them were ever tried for inciting insurrection. Indeed, 
the law was a dead letter from the start. The evil effects re- 
sulting to us from the emancipation proclamation and the policy 
sought to be enforced by the United States government were no- 
where so great as ]\Ir. Lincoln and his advisers had anticipated ; 
for, contrary to the general expectation in the North the negroes 
did not, on the approach of the Yankee armies, rise and massacre 
the whites indiscriminately, as had been done in Santo Dom- 
ingo. 

In my message I recommended the passage of an act to deprive 
of all rights of citizenship persons taking the oath of allegiance 
to the enemy, or who had left or might thereafter leave the coun- 
try to avoid military service, or who should join the enemy, or in 
any way give them aid and comfort ; and the measure was 
promptly enacted, to take effect from and after its passage. Un- 
der its provisions prosecutions for these offenses were not barred 
till five years after the ratification of a treaty of peace between 
the Confederate States and the United States. It is needless to 
state that no prosecutions were instituted under this statute. In 
our revolutionary struggle with Mexico we recognized the same 
offenses in our legislation, with somewhat similar penalties. 

Banks' outrages in Louisiana and the authority he arrogated 
to himself there to dispose of the property of Confederate 
refugees and others, led to the passage of an act at this session of 
the Legislature declaring void any sale made by the public enemy 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 477 



should the Federals at any time thereafter occupy any portion of 
the territory of the State of Texas. This was a warning to all 
purchasers at such sales, under the pretended authority of the 
United States government. Under the confiscation acts of the 
United States Congress, there was, presumably, to be wholesale 
spoliation of the people of the South and sale of their property, 
real, mixed, and personal, whenever opportunity offered. Such 
miscreants as Butler urged the Federal representatives on to the 
passage of such legislation and sought whenever they could to 
enforce it. All disguise having been thrown off. Federal com- 
manders and soldiers now entered upon a career of rapine and 
robbery that has tarnished with a stain of ineffaceable dishonor 
the names and fame of all who prominently engaged in it. 

The Texas enactment was intended to meet a possible con- 
tingency, and act as a counter-check. 

In the same line of legislation an act was passed making evad- 
ing, or assisting to evade, the conscript law a felony, punishable 
by confinement in the penitentiary for a term of years not ex- 
ceeding five. 

Perhaps the most important measure perfected at the session 
was "An act to provide for the support of the families of Texan 
soldiers." This was a favorite measure that I had strongly 
recommended in my message. The original bill, after a hard 
fight, went through, shorn of much strength by numerous amend- 
ments. Under its provisions $600,000 were set aside for the 
needy families of our soldiers, to be distributed by the county 
courts. The sum should have been much larger. Further to 
provide for the needs of our people at home and our men in the 
field, an act was passed appropriating $300,000 as a hospital fund 
for the sick and wounded Texan soldiers in the Confederate 
army ; another to regulate the distribution of cloth manufactured 
at the State penitentiary among the families of soldiers in the 
Confederate army, and others to punish any person or persons 
who should obtain goods from the penitentiary under false pre- 
tenses, or speculate in goods obtained therefrom, and to enlarge 
the operations of the penitentiary, by authorizing the purchase 
of additional machinery and the employment of outside labor. 

To get specie to pay interest on bonds held by creditors of the 
State, the Military Board was authorized to sell cotton in Mexico. 



478 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



The Treasurer was authorized to pay out Confederate treasury 
notes for civil and military purposes. 

The act to perfect the organization of State troops was so 
amended that, on call, the Governor might order into camps the 
whole militia force, preparatory to a draft for filling a requisi- 
tion; the various drills previously prescribed were suspended 
during the war and exemptions were defined and enumerated 
anew. 

All stay laws and statutes of limitation were definitely sus- 
pended by suitable enactment till after the war. 

The ad valorem State tax was raised from 25 cents to 50 cents 
on the $100. The additional burden was scarcely felt, owing to 
the plethora of Confederate and State paper money, made neces- 
sary by the increasing expenditures of the war. 

As the war progressed, shutting off supplies from abroad, there 
arose a greater demand for factories. Among the companies 
chartered by this Legislature were : 

The Comal Manufacturing Company, with John F. Torrey, 
Henry Eunge, — Herman, A. H. Runge, and ouiers, as stock- 
holders. Its object was the manufacture of cotton and woolen 
goods and such other articles as said company might at any time 
choose to manufacture. Located at New Braunfels. Capital 
stock not to exceed $500,000. 

The Jackson Manufacturing Company, S. P. and B. P. Hol- 
lingsworth, of the State of Texas, and James Crow, of the State 
of Alabama, and others, incorporators; to erect, own, maintain, 
and operate a factory for the manufacture of cottan and woolen 
goods and other articles, separately or conjointly, at such place 
or places as the company might select. Capital stock not to ex- 
ceed $200,000. 

The Texas Paper Manufacturing Company, David Richard- 
son, Samuel Mather, and Dr. Theodore Koester, and others, in- 
corporators; to erect and establish in the county of Comal ma- 
chinery and establishments for the manufacture of paper, and 
operate the same. To be exempt from taxation for five years, if 
the plant was put in operation during the war. Capital stock, 
$50,000. 

The Texas Iron Company, J. S. Nash, Wm. Nash, James 
Alley, H. P. Perry, Josiah D. Perry, Jonathan Adams, R. R. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 479 



Haynes, and Thomas D. Powell, incorporators; to erect, own, 
maintain, and operate a manufactory of iron and steel goods 
of every description and all other articles of which iron or steel 
might form a part, at such place or places as the company might 
select within the counties of Marion and Davis [now Cass. — Ed.] 
Capital stock not to exceed $1,000,000. 

The Texas Lead and Copper Mine Company, Louis Wills, 
Josephus M. Steiner, Geo. W. White, and others, incorporators; 
for the location and working of lead and copper mines, the State 
relinquishing to said corporation all its right, title, and claim 
to all minerals that might be found on any patented or located 
lands that said company might select and purchase, not to ex- 
ceed 1280 acres ; provided work was begun by the company within 
a year from passage of the act. 

About this time also was developed a rage for mutual aid so- 
cieties, and quite a number were chartered by the Legislature. 
Among these were : 

The San Antonio Mutual Aid Association, organized for the 
conduct of a general mercantile business. 

The Columbus Mutual Aid Association, C. W. Tait, Stephen 
Harbert, E. P. Whitfield, Isom Took, A. M. Campbell, and 
others, incorporators; to conduct a general mercantile business, 
the charter requiring the incorporators to "sell to families of sol- 
diers at cost." 

The Caldwell County Mutual Aid Society, T. E. Heppenstall, 
0. 0. Searcy, W. A. Clark, W. S. Carpenter, J. S. Proctor, W. 
E. Cowan, G. W. Shoof, and others, incorporators; to purchase 
and deal in any kind of provisions, family supplies, and mer- 
chandise, and, after supplying themselves, sell the remainder of 
said provisions, supplies, and merchandise; provided, that all 
goods disposed of to families of soldiers should be sold to them 
at cost, and to others at a profit not exceeding 25 per cent above 
cost, the object of the association being "mutual aid in procuring 
supplies for the needy and protection against speculators and ex- 
tortioners." 

The Washington County Mutual Aid Association, A. H. 
Rippetoe, John P. Key, J. D. Giddings, Gilbert Buchanan, N". 
Kavanaugh, John H. Dawson, and others, stockholders ; to do a 
general mercantile business; with the usual provision that aftei 



480 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS, 



supplying themselves, they should sell to the families of soldiers 
at cost. 

The Goliad Aid Association; empowering D. Hardeman, 
William Evans, A. H. Biscoe, J. Alison Dill, J. A. Eobbins, John 
A. Clark, J. M. Brown, and Pryor Lea, or any three of them, as 
commissioners, to organize a joint stock association, to consist of 
the persons before named, or any of them, and their associates 
and successors ; such joint stock association to procure and fur- 
nish necessaries to its members, and to the families and other 
dependents of officers and soldiers, who have been or may be in 
the military service of either the Confederate or the State govern- 
ment, and for general market within the area of Goliad and 
neighboring counties, at prices not to exceed cost and 25 per cent 
profit. Capital stock, $100,000. 

Nor was education forgotten in this furore of incorporation, 
for at this session of the Ninth Legislature was chartered the 
Dallas Male and Female College, with J. M. Patterson, W. H. 
Thomas, M. T. Johnson, E. M. Gano, A. M. Moore, J. W. 
Throckmorton, P. Taylor, T. C. Hawpe, B. W. Stone, J. J. Good, 
S. B. Pryor, J. J. Eakin, A. C. Halleck, R. B. Scott, and John 
N. Bryan, and their successors in office, as a board of trustees, 
with succession for the term of fifty years ; the college to be non- 
sectarian, admit male and female students, and give instruction 
in all branches of education usually taught in institutions of a 
similar character, and, in addition thereto, instruct such male 
pupils as might be able to perform military duty, and desire such 
knowledge, in the science of arms. 

The following important joint resolutions were adopted at the 
session : 

(1) A joint resolution providing for a pony express between 
the Mississippi and the Rio Grande, two trips to be made each 
week from Brownsville on the Rio Grande to some safe place on 
the Mississippi, each trip, if practicable, in five days ; the express 
to carry letters only, the rate of postage to be fixed by the Post- 
master-General of the Confederacy. 

(2) "That the people of Texas, acknowledging with heartfelt 
gratitude the favor of God in the brilliant achievements of our 
Confederate armies, do hereby formally and sincerely tender to 
the officers and privates in the military service of the country, 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 481 



from Texas, the thanks and praises they have so justly merited 
by their self-sacrificing devotion to their country and their many 
deeds of valor upon every battlefield of the Confederacy. 

"In the name of a gallant State and a gallant people, we thank 
you. In the name of your mothers, your wives, and your sisters, 
we thank you for your gallant deeds. 

"You have won for yourselves imperishable renown. You 
have won for your State the highest honors. 

"Resolved, That while our brave troops are battling so glo- 
riously for the dearest interests of our people, we recognize it as 
a sacred obligation to provide for their comfort, and to support 
and cherish their families at home. 

"Eesolved, That the faith of the State of Texas is hereby 
pledged to our soldiers in the field, that their families shall be 
nourished and supported during the war. 

"Resolved, That the Governor be instructed to have a copy of 
this resolution transmitted to every Texas regiment now in the 
service, with the request that it be read out to every company." 

(3) "Be it resolved by the Legislature of the State of Texas, 
That should the State of Texas, from any cause, withdraw from 
her association as a member of the Confederate States before the 
indebtedness of said Confederate States is fully paid, the faith 
of the State is hereby pledged to the payment of her pro rata por- 
tion of such remaining indebtedness, to whoever the same may 
be due. 

"A certified copy of this resolution to be transmitted by the 
Governor to the President of the Confederate States, and to the 
Governor of each of said States." 

(4) "Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Texas, That 
we heartily approve of the proclamation of the President of the 
Confederate States, to retaliate for the iniquities of General But- 
ler (better known as Butler, the Beast,) in the State of Louis- 
iana; as well as his retaliation proclamation against General 
McNeill for the murder of citizens in the State of Missouri ; and 
we trust that retaliation will be strictly and rigidly practiced 
by our government in all such cases of outrage, and we pledge 
the people of this State to sustain the President of the Confed- 
erate States in all his measures of retaliation against those wlio 



31 



482 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



outrage humanity by such an utter disregard of the rules of civil- 
ized warfare.'" 

(5) "Eesolved, That the power to regulate commerce is, by 
the Constitution of the Confederate States, vested in Congress; 
and that the power assumed by the military authorities of this 
department to allow, control, and prohibit the exportation and 
transportation of cotton, is unwarranted in law, is an encroach- 
ment upon the rights of the people and upon the power of Con- 
gress, and is an exercise of power which Congress itself has re- 
fused to exercise (by act approved May 21, 1861), and which 
tends to the impoverishment of one portion of the people and to 
the aggrandizement and corruption of another, and to expel the 
planter and lawful trader from the market, to create monopolies, 
and to cause scarcity of supplies and consequent high prices. 

"That our senators in Congress be instructed, and our repre- 
sentatives requested, to see that the Eio Grande trade is not un- 
lawfully closed or obstructed, and that such regulations be pre- 
scribed to the officers of customs as may be necessary to secure 
to the people the benefits of said trade and a return of supplies."' 

(6) "Be it resolved by the Legislature of the State of Texas, 
That the thanks of the Legislature are hereby tendered to Gen. 
J. B. Magruder, and the officers and men under his command, 
for the brilliant victory which they gained over the Federals at 
Galveston on the 1st of January last; and to Maj. 0. M. Watkins 
and the officers and men under his command for their gallant 
conduct at Sabine Pass, and the recapture of that fort and cap- 
turing the blockading vessels of the enemy; and to Maj. Dan 
Shea and the officers and men under his command for their firm 
defense of the town of Lavaca; and to Major Hobby and the 
officers and soldiers under his command for the repulse of the 
enemy's attack on Corpus Christi — the commencement of our 
successes on the Texas coast ; and to Captains Ireland and Ware 
and the officers and soldiers under their command for their ex- 
ploit in the capture of Captain Kittredge and his men near 
Corpus Christi ; and to Captains Ireland and Wilkie and the offi- 
cers and soldiers under their command for their good conduct in 
defeating the enemy's attempt to capture one of our vessels, and 
in capturing his barges in the bay of Corpus Christi ; and to 
Capts. Santos Bonavides and Eefugio Benavides and officers and 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 483 



men for the vigilance, energy, and gallantry displayed by them 
in pursuing and chastising the banditti infesting the Rio Grande 
frontier." 

The extra session adjourned sine die on the 2d of March. 

In reply to a letter from Capt. S. T. Mains, of the State troops, 
detailing the exposed condition of his section and the need of ad- 
ditional troops, I wrote him, under date of March 13, 1863, that 
for lack of legislative appropriations I was powerless to afford 
help at that time ; that I was then in correspondence with General 
Magruder on the subject, and hoped to effect something for his 
section in that way; that I was forwarding to the frontier line 
all the available ammunition, and that it was my intention to do 
all in my power to secure adequate protection for the frontier. 

On March 27th I wrote to President Davis, urging acceptance 
of the frontier regiment by the Confederate government, and 
giving him a history of its organization and objects, and of my 
efforts to have it transferred to the regular service to save ex- 
pense to the State. I also informed him of the passage by the 
Legislature of an act removing all restrictions imposed by a 
former act, with the only exception that its service should be 
continued on the Indian frontier for its defense, and that under 
this supplemental act the regiment had again been tendered to 
the general commanding the military district of Texas, and had 
been by him accepted, subject to the approval of the President. 

In concluding my letter I said : "Impressed with a firm con- 
viction of the superiority of this mode of defense for the protec- 
tion of our Indian frontier, and its pre-eminent ethciency hav- 
ing been recognized by the people of that section and the Legis- 
lature at its several sessions ; in a spirit the very reverse of dicta- 
tion, I would invoke your excellency to accept the service of this 
regiment, and to that extent save the people on our Indian fron- 
tier, in the future, from the renewal of the countless sacrifices 
which they have heretofore made, and the horrible consequences 
that accompany these Indian raids." 

The President, however, denied my application, refusing to 
accept the regiment if hampered by any conditions whatever. 

The citizens of Wise, Parker, and Jack counties had petitioned 
the Legislature for additional protection against Indian depre- 
dations. 



484 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



After adjourmnent of that body, I wrote them, through 
Messrs. Armstrong, Simpson, Benson, and others, that their pe- 
tition had been duly considered by the members of the Legisla- 
ture, who adjourned, however, without authorizing me to raise 
a man or expend a dollar for the protection of the frontier, be- 
yond the appropriation made for the frontier regiment ; but that 
General Magruder, at my urgent request, had authorized Brig- 
adier-General Hudson to raise four or five companies for fron- 
tier service, and had ordered to the Red River line the mounted 
regiment of Colonel Phillips; and further, that I had requested 
General Magruder to retain in Cooke County, till relieved by 
other forces, the four companies of De Morse's regiment under 
Major Carroll, sent to that quarter by General Cooper, of the 
Indian department. 

I also expressed the hope that, with these additional troops on 
the frontier, adequate protection would be afforded the people 
in that section against all depredations of Indians and jay- 
hawkers, and stated I felt entirely sure that the frontier regi- 
ment, as then reorganized, was in a better condition for effective 
service than ever before. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS, 485 



CHAPTER TWEXTY-SIX. 

Inspection of the Fortifications at Galveston — Call for Ten Thousand 
More Troops — Want of Arms — Fall of Vicksburg — Proclamations 
to Encourage the People — President Davis' Letter to Gen. Kirby 
Smith — Death of General Houston — Gen. Kirby Smith on the Situ- 
ation — Second Conference of Governors at Marshall — Indian Fron- 
tier — Dick Dowling's Fight at Sabine Pass. 

General Magrucler had been utilizing slave labor for some 
time in fortifying Galveston, and, somewhat desirous to see the 
extent of his works, I set out from Austin about the last of May, 
with Colonel Dashiel, A. A. G., for the coast. 

I spent several days quite pleasantly in Houston, where I also 
had the good fortune to meet General Magruder and quite a 
corps of distinguished officers. The General was enthusiastic 
over his works in Galveston Bay, and anxious to show them to 
me, and for that purpose it was thought best to take the bayou 
route. We proceeded down Buffalo Bayou on the elegant steam- 
boat Island City, passing in broad daylight the battlefield of San 
Jacinto, where the independence of Texas had been won. As 
our boat glided by this historic and memorable spot, the thought 
was vividly present in my mind that our liberties were then 
more seriously threatened by our own kith and kin than they 
had been in other days by an alien race ; and when I glanced at 
the gallant company about me, there came to me the inspiring 
reflection that we had triumphed then by virtue of the justice 
of our cause and the tried valor of our people, and would do so 
again, if the achievement of such a result could be accomplished 
by heroism. The boat paused in midstream on coming opposite 
the battleground, and General Magruder and his military escort 
viewed with absorbing interest the stretch of ground on which 
the soldiers of a former time had won imperishable renown. 
There was old Lynchburg, just below, with its gloomy surround- 
ings, as of yore. With agreeable company and fine scenery, the 
trip was pleasant enough. On the approach of night, Cook's 
band on board discoursed the sweetest music, and the company 
sang and danced as they pleased, and "all went merry as a mar- 
riage bell." 



486 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



The military men of our party were, to the best of my recol- 
lection, besides General Magruder: Colonel Dashiel, Colonel De 
Bray, Colonel Bankhead, Colonel Ives (aide-de-camp to Presi- 
dent Davis), Lieutenant Kirby (aide-de-camp to Gen. E. Kirby 
Smith), Major Pearce, Major Pendleton, Maj. Leon Smith, 
Major Dickinson, Maj. George Magruder, Major Mason, Major 
Watkins, Captain McGreal, Captain Turner, Lieutenants War- 
ner, Yancy, and several others of lesser note. 

Reaching Galveston, we waited until the following morning to 
inspect the fortifications. They were constructed, so I was in- 
formed, under the direction of Colonel Sulokoski, Magruder's 
Polish chief of engineers, whom he had brought with him from 
Virginia. 

The next day, to better make an inspection of the line of de- 
fenses, including the obstructions in the channel leading into the 
harbor, the inland fleet, and the fortifications, a party, consist- 
ing of General Magruder and staff, Colonel Dashiel, and myself, 
with several charming ladies, took passage on one of the steam- 
ers. This outing was certainly a combination of business and 
pleasure, as the ride was delightful, and the view presented, the 
inland fleet, the city, Pelican Spit, and the bridge, and an ex- 
amination of the works, were all interesting. To examine the 
military works we landed, and after their inspection we were 
afforded the pleasure of witnessing an exhibition of artillery 
practice by the troops. 

I was gratified to learn, in this connection, that General Ma- 
gruder had recovered from the wreck of the Yankee steamer 
Westfield five cannon of various calibres; one being a nine-inch 
Dahlgren, and another an eight-inch columbiad, which were 
found on the sea bottom about thirty feet away from the hulk, 
with gun-carriages intact, and raised with grappling hooks and 
windlass. After viewing the defenses of Galveston, pronounced 
by competent critics to be the most scientific and formidable in 
the Confederacy, I could but be pleased with the outlook for the 
Island City and Texas. The commanding general had them so 
well advertised to the world that the Yankees never cared to put 
their strength to the test. As has been before observed, Magru- 
der had a little bluster in his composition, which at times served 
a good turn in scaring the enemy. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 487 



The agreeable experiences of the day were fittingly concluded 
with a grand ball at night at Miss Cobb's schoolhouse. It was 
probably given as a compliment to General Magruder and 
brother officers. However, I attended it; but I imagined I was 
somewhat overshadowed, in the eyes of the fair ladies, by the 
brilliant military throng. A good share of the representative 
belles of both Houston and Galveston being present, the evening 
was delightfully spent. 

In compliance with General Magruder's requisition on me 
for 10,000 troops (made June 4th), I at once issued a proclama- 
tion calling for that number of men to defend the State, saying, 
among other things : "I invoke you, men of Texas, by every 
tie of family and of country, to rally to our standard. Your 
Governor, in your name, has promised that this call will be filled 
with alacrity. This pledge must be redeemed. It will be." 

The requisition was slowly filled, but the chief difficulty was 
in procuring arms for the militia. It was no unusual thing to 
see bodies of militia in different parts of the State practically 
without weapons of any kind. Were ever patriots reduced to 
such desperate straits in any country before? 

Magruder's requisition for troops was preceded by a long let- 
ter to me sketching the situation and needs of the State. In it 
he said, in substance, that he expected a more formidable in- 
vasion by the Yankees, and that it must be met by adequate prep- 
aration ; that, on opening the Mississippi, then probable, their 
light-draft gunboats would be pushed into every navigable bay 
and bayou in Louisiana and Texas ; that the contiguous territory 
would be laid waste, the negroes set free, our men killed or im- 
prisoned, and our women subjected to every species of brutality 
and insult ; that cravens, if any in Texas, could not hope to save 
their property by submission to Yankee tyranny, as had been 
lately demonstrated in Louisiana; that, to fight successfully, 
troops must be provided, organized, and disciplined, and im- 
portant points fortified ; that Texas was in more danger of inva- 
sion then than ever before, especially if the enemy succeeded in 
opening the Mississippi, and that it was not his intention to keep 
from their homes, unless necessary, the 10,000 militia called for, 
but to organize them and prepare them for service, so that they 
would be ready for any emergency. 



488 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



He directed my attention to that portion of the impressment 
law of Congress that related to slaves. He said the most pa- 
triotic slaveholders had furnished more than their share of lab- 
orers for the fortifications at Galveston, while the more selfish 
kept their slaves at home or reclaimed them (if loaned) on the 
first opportunity, and stated that 1500 slaves were required for 
immediate service on fortifications, and that if not forthcoming, 
the impressment law (authorizing the taking of one-half the 
male population over eighteen) would be rigidly enforced, as the 
coast defenses were absolutely indispensable to the security of 
slave property. In reference to my late visit to Galveston, he 
said : "Your excellency, in company with myself, has recently 
visited and inspected the fortifications, the Harriet Lane, the in- 
land fleet, and could not but have felt the greater sense of se- 
curity, after witnessing the effect of the fire of our guns upon the 
channels of approach, and after an examination of the strongest 
and most skillfully constructed earthworks that are to be found 
in any country." And in conclusion : "I have made your ex- 
cellency the above plain and frank statement of facts, that they 
may be communicated to the people. ... I have the honor 
to assure your excellency that the patriotism, zeal, and intelli- 
gence which have marked your co-operation with the Confederate 
commanders in this district are fully appreciated by them and 
the government, and have contributed greatly to the success of 
their eft'orts to rescue the district of Texas from the presence of 
the enemy and to maintain it, to this moment, free and independ- 
ent. For these great services, rendered by yourself and the pa- 
triotic and able men who control the military resources of the 
State of Texas, I beg leave to tender my cordial thanks and pub- 
lic acknowledgments." 

Vicksburg, our great stronghold on the Mississippi, was at last 
surrendered to the enemy, its brave defenders being reduced to 
that extremity as much by famine as by the preponderating num- 
ber and exertions of the enemy. We lost 30,000 men by the fall 
of Vicksburg, and the enemy gained undisputed control of the 
Mississippi from its source to the sea. This was an irreparable 
disaster, but the ensuing demoralization among the soldiers and 
people was worse. I, however, did not consider our situation 
desperate, and, to encourage our depressed people to continue 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 489 



resistance and make preparations to determinedly oppose further 
advances of the exultant Federals, I issued a cheering proclama- 
tion, July 24th, in which I said : 

"The fall of the heroic city does not necessarily give the 
enemy the control of the Mississippi, neither does it ensure the 
invasion of Texas ; nevertheless, it behooves every man to be pre- 
pared and nerved for any fate that may befall him or his coun- 
try. To avert war from your doors, make adequate preparations 
for resistance. 

"The spectacle of a whole people in arms for the defense of 
their altars and household gods (boys, manhood in its prime, and 
grey-headed sires), the path of victory or death pointed out by 
wives, sisters, and mothers, prepared to perish rather than live 
the slaves of slaves, — such a spectacle will cause the foe to pause 
ere he encounters an entire people ready to die, not to yield. 

"Therefore I call upon you in the name of the departed he- 
roes of Texas, and in the name of their widows and orphans ; I 
call upon you in the name of the patriots now battling for us 
upon distant fields; I invoke you as patriots, as lovers of free- 
dom, as men struggling in a most righteous cause, to organize 
at once under the call made upon you, to beat back our insolent 
and brutal foe, who, when he crosses our frontier, will mark his 
progress with desolation and ruin." 

I also called attention to General Magruder's proclamation 
urging the organization of minute companies of cavalry, exhort- 
ing the "exempts" then at home to be ready to defend their fire- 
sides, calling on the shirkers in the rear to come forward and re- 
deem their manhood, and requesting slaveholders to hire their 
slaves to the government to serve as teamsters and other laborers ; 
all of which utterances of the General I heartily approved and 
seconded. 

General Magruder said in his proclamation that if any should 
prove insensible to his appeal, and his army should be left at 
disadvantage by those who should swell its ranks, he would see 
to it that no such recreants should be left between his lines and 
those of the enemy to protect by perjury the wealth they had 
amassed by grinding extortion, or in any other way turn their 
cowardice or baseness to profit. Referring in my address to this 
announcement, I said : "And may those who, to save life and 



490 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



property, take the oath of allegiance to so foul and corrupt a 
government as that of Lincolndom, meet the fate due to traitors, 
and their names be consigned to ignominy and the execrations of 
posterity ! And I pledge myself to assist the commanding gen- 
eral in disposing of all such miscreants, should any such be found 
in our midst. ... If we are but true to ourselves, we are 
strong enough west of the Mississippi ... to beat the Yan- 
kee vandals from our soil." 

President Davis, ever mindful of the dangers of our isolated 
situation wrote July 14th to Gen. E. Kirby Smith : "After the 
fall of our two fortified places on the Mississippi Kiver (Vicks- 
burg and Port Hudson) your department is placed in a new re- 
lation, and your difficulties must be materially enhanced. You 
now have not merely a military, but a political, problem in- 
volved in your command. I have been warned against a feeling 
which is said to exist in favor of a separate organization on 
the part of the States west of the Mississippi. Unreasonable 
men think they have been neglected, and timid men may hope 
that they can make better terms for themselves if their cause 
is not combined with that of the Confederacy. Already I am 
told that dissatisfaction exists in Arkansas, and that it has 
been assumed that you intend to abandon that country, the basis 
of such supposition being your concentration of troops in Louisi- 
ana. To give to each section all that local interests may suggest, 
will of course, be impossible; but much discontent may be 
avoided by giving such explanations to the Governors of the 
States as will prevent them from misconstruing your actions. 
. . . Separated from the Eastern States, as you now are, your 
department must needs be, to a great extent, self-sustaining." 
Continuing, the President referred to our large resources of 
natural wealth and the necessity of utilizng them in the manu- 
facture of munitions of war, shoes and harness, clothing and 
blankets, and other articles, and in raising food for the people 
and army. After congratulating him on the victories won at 
Brashear City, Sabine Pass, and elsewhere, Mr. Davis concluded 
his letter with the following words : "We are now in the darkest 
hour of our political existence. I am happy in the confidence I 
feel in your ability, zeal, and discretion. The responsibility 
with which you are charged is heavy, indeed, and your means, 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 491 



I know, are very inadequate. If my power were equal to my will, 
you should have all that you require. It grieves me to have 
enumerated so many and such difficult objects for your atten- 
tion, when I can give you so little aid in their achievement. May 
God guide and preserve you, and grant to us a future in which 
we may congratulate each other on the achievement of the inde- 
pendence of our country." 

Amid the clash of arms in civil strife, the spirit of Sam 
Houston was borne from the scenes of earth. He died at Hunts- 
ville on the 23d of July, 1863, with his family and a few par- 
ticular friends around him. His health had been failing for 
several months, and death did not find him unprepared. His last 
wiir*^ is a curiosity of its kind, and is well worth reading. 

''^ "In the name of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I, Sam 
Housion, of the county of Walker and State of Texas, being fully aware 
of the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death, do ordain and de- 
clare this my last will and testament. 

"First. I will that all my just debts be paid out of my personal ef- 
fects, which I think sufficient without disposing of the family servants. 

"Second. I bequeath my entire remaining estate to my beloved 
wife, Margaret, and our children, and I desire that they may remain 
with her so long as she remains in widowhood; and should she at any 
time marry I desire that my daughters should remain subject to her 
control so long as their minority lasts. 

" Third. My will is that my sons should receive solid and useful ed- 
ucations, and that no portion of their time may be devoted to the study 
of abstract science. I greatly desire that they may possess a thorough 
knowledge of the English language, with a good knowledge of the Latin 
language. I request that they be instructed in the knowledge of the 
Holy Scriptures, and next to these that they be rendered thorough in a 
knowledge of geography and history. I wish my sons early taught an 
entire contempt for novels and light reading, as well as to the character 
and morals of those with whom they maybe associated or instructed. 

"Fourth. I leave my wife as executrix, and the following named 
gentlemen as my executors: Thomas Carothers, J. Carroll Smith, 
Thomas Gibbs, and Anthony M. Branch, my beloved friends, in whom I 
place entire confidence, to make such disposition of my real estate as 
may seem to them best for the necessities and interests and welfare of 
my family. To my dearly beloved wife I confide the rearing, education, 
and training of our sons and daughters. 

"Fifth. To my eldest son, Sam Houston, I bequeath my sword, 
worn in the battle of San Jacinto, to be drawn only in defense of the 
Constitution, and laws, and liberties of his country. If any attempt be 
made to assail one of these, I wish it to be used in its vindication. It is 



493 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Information of Houston's death was received over the State 
with feelings of profound sorrow ; but the pressing duties arising 
from the war almost entirely engrossed public attention at the 
time, and it was not until a subsequent period that the Legisla- 
ture expressed, by suitable resolutions, the public sentiment on 
the passing away of the hero of San Jacinto, — a man whose few 
defects of character (which he possessed in common with all 
mankind) but served to accentuate his great virtues and abilities. 

In September, Gen. E. Kirby Smith, in a letter to President 
Davis, deplored the inability of his small army, destitute of sup- 
plies, to cope with the overwhelming numbers of the enemy being 
hurled against it, well supplied with military equipments. 

"The arms intended for us," said he, "were lost at Vicksburg. 
. . . The United States blockading fleet have effectually pre- 
vented the arrival of other arms confidently expected. I do not 
make these statements in a fault-finding spirit, but they are facts 
which present the almost hopeless condition of our affairs in this 
department. . . . The people and the State troops, which 
are called out, know they can not be armed. Despondent and 
disheartened, they have but little hope of the result. The whole 
male population, the aged and the infirm, have been called upon 
to organize under the acts for local defense. Sixty thousand 
rifles could, I believe, this moment be well disposed of through- 
out this department." 

my will that my library should be left at the disposition of my dear 
wife. 

"Sixth. To my dearly beloved wife I bequeath my watch and all 
my jewelry, subject to her disposition. 

"Seventh. I hereby appoint my beloved wife, Margaret, testament- 
ary guardian of our children, their persons and estates during minority. 
But should a wise Providence, through its inscrutable decrees, see fit to 
deprive our offspring of both parents, and make them orphans indeed, 
it is hereby delegated to my executors, J. Carroll Smith, Thomas Ca- 
rothers, Thomas Gibbs, and Anthony M. Branch, to make such disposi- 
tion in regard to their welfare as they may think best calculated to 
carry out designs as expressed in this my last will and testament. 

" Eighth. And I direct and enjoin my executors, that after the pro- 
bate and registry of this, my last will, and return of inventory of my 
estate, the county or court of probate have no further control of my ex- 
ecutors or testamentary guardian of my estate. 

"Done at Huncsville. April 2. 1863. 

"Sam Houston." 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 493 



Of course this despairing letter was not made public at the 
time. General Smith enclosed with his letter to President Davis 
a communication to Mr. Slidell, our representative in Paris, urg- 
ing upon him the importance of immediate interposition by 
France in behalf of the Confederacy. 

The fall of Vicksburg split the Confederacy into two parts, 
neither of which thereafter had the power of rendering aid to the 
other. Communication with the Richmond government was im- 
mediately interrupted. It was realized that unless this was re- 
stored the results would be worse than those following the loss 
of Pemberton's army, or the repulse of Lee at Gettysburg. In 
recognition of the gravity of the situation, Gen. E. Kirby Smith 
called another conference of the Governors of the States west of 
the Mississippi, the meeting to take place at Marshall, August 15, 
1863. 

The conference assembled at the time and place appointed, 
with the following in attendance : 

From Texas, Hon. W. S. Oldham, Confederate States sena- 
tor; Pendleton Murrah (Governor-elect), Maj. Guy M. Bryan, 
and myself; from Louisiana, Gov. Thos. 0. Moore, Colonel Man- 
ning, Chief Justice Merrick, Associate Justice Voorhies; from 
Arkansas, Eobt. M. Johnson, Confederate States senator and rep- 
resentative of Governor Flanagan; C. B. Mitchell, Confederate 
States senator, and W. K. Patterson ; from Missouri, Gov. Thos. 
C. Reynolds, and Gen. E. Kirby Smith. 

General Smith submitted the following questions for consid- 
eration : 

"First. The condition of the States since the fall of Vicks- 
burg, the temper of the people, the resources and ability of each 
State to contribute to the cause and defense of the department, 
and the best means for bringing into use the whole population 
for the protection of their homes. 

"Second. The best measures for restoring confidence and 
checking the spread of disloyality, and keeping the people stead- 
fast in the hope of ultimate triumph of our army. 

"Third. The questions of currency, and the best method of 
securing the cotton of the department without causing opposi- 
tion on the part of the people, and best method of disposing of 
the same. 



494 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



"Fourth. The extent of the civil authority to be exercised, re- 
ferred to by the President and Secretary of War in their letters 
to the lieutenant-general commanding. 

"Fifth. Appointment of commissioners to confer with the 
French and Mexican authorities in Mexico. 

"Sixth. Arms and ordnance stores." 

Two days later, on August 17th, I was elected to the chair, 
and W. K. Patterson secretary. 

On motion, I appointed the following committees : 

No. 1, Governor Eeynolds, Voorhies, Johnston, Bryan, Old- 
ham, and Patterson; No. 3, Oldham, Merrick, Mitchell, Reyn- 
olds, and Lubbock; No. 3, Johnson, Moore, Murrah, Reynolds, 
Manning, and Merrick; to which the various propositions were 
assigned, to be by them considered and reported on. 

Judge Merrick, for committee No. 3, reported that in the 
opinion of the committee it was intended that such powers only 
should be exercised by General Smith as were then exercised by 
military officers at Richmond, and which it was absolutely nec- 
essary, on account of inability to communicate with Richmond, 
that the general should assume in order to augment and main- 
tain his army and put the department in the best state of de- 
fense. 

The objects to which such powers were to extend were enumer- 
ated generally in the letter of the Secretary of War. 

"Of course," said the committee report, "when the Secretary 
of War advises the general in command of the department to as- 
sume powers not granted by an act of Congress to any general 
in the army, and only exercised by other departments of the gov- 
ernment, he expects that such powers (which are only powers of 
administration) should be exercised according to existing laws, 
and that nothing shall be changed except the agents by which 
the operations of the government in respect to this department 
are carried on. 

"The respective States composing the department have or- 
ganized governments, and it could not have been the intention of 
the Secretary of War to advise the commanding general to as- 
sume civil authority which belongs to the States, they still hav- 
ing officers present ready to perform their respective duties and 
functions." 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 495 



Col. Pendleton Murrah, from the same committee, made 
the following report : 

"The undersigned, a sub-committee to whom was referred this 
question, respectfully submit that the dependence of the Trans- 
Mississippi Department upon the ports of Mexico for supplies 
and for communication abroad, together with the relationship 
of the French and Mexican governments at the present time, 
make an understanding Avith the authorities by those govern- 
ments highly important, if not absolutely essential. The disposi- 
tion of those powers and their officials can only be ascertained by 
correspondence with them. The correspondence under the ex- 
isting state of things, even as to civil matters, can not, perhaps, 
be conducted directly through the government, and as the cor- 
respondence, to have reference nearly directly to the interest of 
the department and its immediate wants, the law, whenever the 
law speaks, and propriety when the law is silent, points out the 
military commander of the department as the proper official to 
institute and conduct the correspondence. As to the mode of 
carrying on the correspondence, it is of course to be left to the dis- 
cretion of the commander ; and yet it is not deemed improper to 
suggest that the importance of the subject authorizes, if it does 
not require, an agent, intelligent, well informed, of known char- 
acter, one adapted to inspire confidence in his knowledge and 
discretion, and not likely to be misled in these times of trial and 
uncertainty by mere plausibilities of instructions intended to 
please and flatter, without promising or guaranteeing anything 
of benefit. The selection of such an agent and the prosecution 
of such line of policy would find its justification in facts which 
have already transpired in the conduct of French officials. These 
facts, forming a basis of inquiry and authorizing an approach to 
them officially for that purpose, would enable the agent or com- 
missioner to sound, upon Mexican soil, both French and Mexican 
authorities, ascertain their disposition towards our government 
and people, and what we may expect of them in the way of favor 
or assistance ; what credit may be founded upon the various pro- 
ductions, etc., in our own territory. Whilst the agent might not 
be dignified by any definite title or grade which proclaims his 
authority and its extent, he might at least be authorized to make 
explanations, give assurances, and come to an understanding 



496 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



founded upon consummations of especial interest, pointing di- 
rectly to the wants of this district and embracing the specific 
matters pertaining to the general questions of credit and sup- 
plies from abroad. 

"It is believed that our situation is such that these inquiries 
can not be pushed forward with too much industry and discre- 
tion; for if it be that the French government is favorably dis- 
posed towards our country, such control has it over the country 
and ports of Mexico, that its will is likely to be law, and impor- 
tant results may be anticipated from securing its good will. The 
condition of the Trans-Mississippi Department, her wants, what 
is believed and ascertained of the disposition of the present au- 
thorities, it is believed fully authorizes the commanding general, 
etc. He can not be instructed from Eichmond as to civil mat- 
ters pertaining to the agency, questions of mere irregularity, or 
even of doubtful authority. In conducting the correspondence, 
both the interest of the country and the necessities under which 
it labors will be the law to guide his discretion." 

Gov. Thomas C. Eeynolds, from committee No. 1, made the 
following report : 

"The undersigned, to whom was referred the condition of the 
Trans-Mississippi Department since the fall of Vicksburg, has 
had the same under consideration and beg leave to submit the 
following report: 

"Since the commencement of the war this department has 
labored under peculiar difficulties of a very embarrassing char- 
acter ; it has received but a meager share of the limited supplies 
of arms and munitions of war under the control of the gov- 
ernment. Waiving all inquiry at present as to the causes which 
prevented adequate supplies from being sent west of the river, 
it is sufficient to say that the supply of arms, munitions, etc., in 
this department has never been equal to the Imperative demands 
of the army. This was true before the fall of Vicksburg and 
Port Hudson. Now, since the enemy have entire control of the 
Missisippi River, and have the gulf coast effectually blockaded, 
and the State of Missouri overrun and governed by military 
power, we are completely separated from our confederates east of 
the river, and must abandon all hope of even the imperfect and 
irregular supply heretofore received from the government, and 
at once and entirely rely upon our own resources. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 497 



"Beleaguered as we are, the general in command can neither 
transmit reports nor receive communications regularly from the 
seat of government. Hence the safet}' of the people (the supreme 
law) requires that he assume at once and exercise the power and 
prerogatives of the President of the Confederate States and his 
subordinates in reference to all matters involving the interests 
of his department. Our necessities demand this policy and will 
not brook delay, and it is believed that all the exigencies of the 
country may be met without violating the Constitution and laws 
of the Confederate States, and without assuming anything like 
dictatorial powers. 

"As to the temper of the people, we are compelled to report 
some disaffection and disloyalty in each of the several States 
of this department, and considerable gloom and despondency, 
the result of the loss of Vicksburg and other disasters, but the 
great mass of the people are loyal to the government of their 
choice and have full and unreserved confidence in the ability 
and integrity of the lieutenant-general commanding this de- 
partment, and we think it safe to say that they have maturely 
and considerately determined that no greater calamity can befall 
them than subjugation or submission to the Federal government. 
Eeference in general terms only is here made to the resources of 
the States, because your committee have not the requisite infor- 
mation to enable them to give special details. Nor do they deem 
it important, as the general can, through his subordinate officers, 
obtain more copious, accurate statistics than we can possibly give 
in this report. 

"It is thought that Texas can and will put into the field from 
15,000 to 20,000 men, including the stragglers, teamsters, etc. 
She has grain, bacon, and beef to feed her people and the army 
two years; four gun factories making 800 guns per month; 
metal, copper, and tin to make 100 cannon, and gun carriages 
for a like number complete and in process of construction. She 
is making percussion caps successfully, has two powder mills 
doing good work, and on hand 30,703 pounds of common powder, 
25,635 pounds lead, 90,000 fixed ammunition, and 234 pounds 
of buckshot. She has in the field now one regiment State troops 
for frontier protection, well supplied with ammunition. She has 
distributed a limited supply of powder, lead, and caps to some 
32 



498 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



counties. She has furnished great numbers of cotton cards to 
her people, and she is now manufacturing them, and she has on 
hand material to keep in good repair the machinery of the peni- 
tentiary. 

"Arkansas can furnish 8000 to 10,000 men, and has immense 
quantities of provisions and forage ; her shops and factories are 
all in the hands of the government, and the general has all need- 
ful information in reference to them. 

"Louisiana can provide 5000 or 6000 men, and has an excess 
of corn, sugar, and molasses. 

"As to the manufacture of clothing and the mineral resources, 
we refer the general to his clothing and mineral bureau and his 
ordnance department, as more reliable sources of information 
than any in our power. 

"Missouri can furnish 15,000 to 30,000 men now in States in 
our possession, and large numbers are daily accruing. Missouri 
at present is valuable chiefly as recruiting ground for the Con- 
federate army. It is thought by the Governor of Missouri that 
a good system of recruiting in Missouri would add a regiment 
a month from that State, and it is also thought that an advance 
in force in Missouri would add from 20,000 to 50,000 Missouri- 
ans to our army. 

"As to the means of bringing into use the whole population 
for the protection of their homes, we urge the execution of the 
conscript laws, with the privilege of volunteering; the calling out 
of the militia by the several Governors ; the enrollment of volun- 
teers for same term of service as State troops, or for the war, in 
districts where the conscript law can not be enforced by reason 
of actual or threatened invasion; and we urge, by every consid- 
eration, the impressment of negroes to drive all the teams in gov- 
ernment service, thereby turning loose an army of teamsters who 
are good fighting men. We ask to be discharged from the fur- 
ther consideration of the means for increasing the loyalty, re- 
storing confidence, and keeping the people steadfast, etc., and 
that the proposition may be considered by the entire conference." 

The foregoing reports were unanimously adopted. 

Hon. W. S. Oldham, of committee No. 8, made the following 
report : 

"The committee to whom was referred the following subjects, 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 499 



submitted by Lieiitenant-General Smith to us, the question of 
currency and the best mode of securing tlie cotton of the depart- 
ment without causing opposition on tlie part of the people, sub- 
mit the following rej)ort : 

"That in view of the difficulties resulting from the occupation 
of the Mississippi River by the enemy, the cotton of this depart- 
ment is the only safe and reliable means for carrying on efficient 
military operations for the defense of the country west of the 
Mississippi. The authority of the general in command under 
the circumstances to use the cotton as a means of purchasing and 
accumulating military supplies can not be doubtful under the 
provisions of the act of Congress usually denominated the im- 
pressment act. As it will be impossible to obtain Confederate 
treasury notes to pay for the cotton to the amount that will be 
necessary, and as such an additional amount thrown into the 
circulation largely accruing, our already redundant circulation 
would lead to the still greater depreciation of Confederate notes 
as a currency, we make the following suggestions for the con- 
sideration of the commanding general : That certificates be 
executed to deliver to the owners of the cotton purchased, pledg- 
ing the government for the payment of the price agreed upon 
in 6 per cent coupon bonds, the interest to be paid semi-annually 
from the date of the certificate in specie, and with the additional 
pledge that a sufficient amount of the proceeds of sale of the cot- 
ton shall be inviolably set apart for the payment of the interest 
coupons for at least the two first years, and that the government 
will provide for the prompt and certain payment of future ac- 
cumulating interest. We believe the planters would prefer such 
a payment than to payment in treasury notes ; that such certifi- 
cates would not swell the volume of circulation now afloat; 
and that the value would be estimated much higher than treas- 
ury notes and would have a credit that would make them much 
more available as a means for obtaining whatever the holder 
might wish to purchase at home or abroad than any other form 
of security the government could issue. 

"Taking possession of the entire amount of cotton, with such 
exceptions and modifications as the commanding general may 
deem necessary to meet particular wants or necessities of the 
people, would take the trade in cotton out of the hands of specu- 



500 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



lators now engaged in it, prevent the further depreciation of 
Confederate notes, by preventing an amount equal to the value 
of the entire cotton crop being accumulated in the locality of this 
department, in which a superabundance now already exists, and 
prevent a further demoralization of public sentiment by the greed 
of gain and avaricious desire with which it is already infected. 

"Upon the subject of discharging the necessary military ob- 
ligations incurred, we venture to suggest that in case money 
can not be obtained from Eichmond for that purpose, the com- 
manding general, in the execution of the special powers con- 
ferred upon him by the President, could cause the Confederate 
notes not bearing interest, which have been funded with the 
various depositories within the department, to be reissued and 
paid out by the proper officers in discharge of the debts for 
military purposes, as well as pay due the soldiers. Although 
the pledge would not be binding upon the government, we 
have no doubt if such notes are reissued with the pledge of the 
privilege of being refunded in bonds of the same rate of inter- 
est as new issue, the government under the circumstances would 
not hesitate to ratify and redeem the pledge." 

The question being upon the adoption of the foregoing report, 
the conference unanimously adopted all that part of the report 
which relates to the buying and impressment of cotton and the 
reissuing of treasury notes in the hands of depositories, but re- 
fused, by a tie vote, to adopt that part of said report recommend- 
ing the issuance of specie certificates in the purchase of cotton. 

Governor Eeynolds, of Missouri, offered the following resolu- 
tion, which was adopted : 

"Eesolved, that to harmonize and infuse vigor into the pa- 
triotic efforts of the people, diffuse correct information, and dis- 
courage disloyalty, an organization should be instituted as fol- 
lows: The Governors for the time being of the Trans-Missis- 
sippi Department should unofficially compose a committee of 
public safety, with a chairman to call it together when necessary 
and act as its agent, and should provide for committees of cor- 
respondence in each county and parish to correspond with the 
Governor of their State and with the committee. The people of 
each county and parish should form a voluntary Confederate 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 501 



association to co-operate with the Trans-Mississippi Department 
committee of public safety and the corresponding committees." 

Thos. C. Eeynolds, Governor of Missouri, was appointed chair- 
man of said committee. 

D. C. Mitchell offered the following resolution, which was 
unanimously adopted : 

"Resolved, that from our intercourse with Lieut.-Gen. E. 
Kirby Smith, and after hearing his general plan, we have the 
most implicit confidence in his regard for law, his military skill 
and ability, his devotion to Southern rights, and his purity and 
integrity as a man, and that we believe the united and vigorous 
support of our people will, under his leadership, insure a final 
complete success." 

Chief Justice Merrick of Louisiana, Senator Johnson of Ar- 
kansas, and Senator Oldham of Texas were appointed to present 
the above resolution to General Smith. 

Whereupon the conference adjourned. 

The following extracts from the address issued by us to the 
people of Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, and the allied 
Indian IsTations, cover its most interesting features : 

"We will not attempt to disguise the change in our position 
by the fall of our strongholds on the Mississippi Eiver. Inter- 
rupting communication between the two sections of the Confed- 
eracy, it throws each mainly on its own resources. But the ap- 
prehensions of evil from tliis interruption have been greatly 
exaggerated. The warning given by the fall of New Orleans 
has not been unheeded, and the interval since that event has 
been used to develop the great resources of this department. We 
are now self-dependent ; but also self-sustaining. With our own 
manufactories of cannon, arms, powder, and other munitions of 
war; with mines opened and factories established; with cotton 
for a basis of financial measures, and with an abundance of food, 
we are able to conduct a vigorous defense and seize occasions for 
offensive operations against the enemy. The immense extent 
of our territory, the uncertainty of navigation on our rivers, the 
unwholesomeness of the regions through which our interior is 
approached, the difficulties of transportation on our roads, pre- 
sent immense obstacles to the advance of large armies of the 
enemv with their cumbrous train of luxurious supplies. Small 



502 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS, 



bodies will ignomiiiiously fail in the attempt at our subjugation. 
To crush even his largest armies we rely on the energy and skill 
of our military commanders, the zeal and activity of our civil 
authorities, the discipline and courage of our armies, and the 
vigorous, self-sacrificing patriotism of our whole people. There 
is everything to incite us to renewed efforts; nothing to justify 
despondency. . . . 

"The capitalist must be liberal of his means; the speculator 
forego his gains; the straggler hasten to his regiment; every 
able-bodied man hold himself in readiness for military service. 
Our women, the glory of our race, tend the loom and even fol- 
low the plow ; our boys guard the homes their fathers are de- 
fending on the frontier ; and western skill and valor will prepare 
a San Jacinto defeat for every invading army that pollutes the 
soil of this department. Unsurpassed in courage, intelligence, 
and energy, you have only to arise in your might and the enemy 
will speedily be driven back. Be true to yourselves, to your past 
history, to your hope for the future, and a baffled foe will gladly 
seek the peace which we war to obtain. 

"The enemy may dismiss all hopes that the western section of 
the Confederacy will seek any destiny separate from that of our 
sisters east of the Mississippi River. Attached to the Confed- 
eracy by community of race, institutions, and interest; baptized 
in the blood we and they have poured out together, we desire 
no new political connection. Let our eastern confederates do 
their full duty; these States and their Indian allies will do 
theirs. And when our joint efforts have secured our common 
safety, the remembrance of the danger from a temporary cessa- 
tion of intercourse will only strengthen the ties that bind us to- 
gether. . . . 

"On God's help and our own right arms we steadfastly rely, 
counting on aid neither from the policy of neutral nations nor 
from the distraction in the midst of our enemies."''® 

'^In my last message to the Legislature, Novembers, 1863, I said; 
" On the 15th of August last I met, by invitation of Lieut. Gen. 
E. Kirby Smith, commanding the Trans-Mississippi Department, that 
gentleman and the Governors of the States west of the Mississippi River, 
together with several Confederate States Senators, Supreme Court 
judges, and other prominent citizens of these States, at Marshall, Texas, 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 503 



On my return to the capital after the conference, I wrote to 
General Smith, calling his attention to our Indian frontier, and 
asking him to send a few more soldiers to our aid, who, while 
repelling the Indians, might also rid that section of many de- 
serters from the army who infested it. I further suggested that 
he detach for service on our frontier Colonel Baylors regiment 
(then in Louisiana), on account of their extensive experience 
in Indian warfare. I urged upon him the policy of allowing 
deserters to return to their colors in any regiment or command, 
without regard to where they belonged, which I thought. could 
be done under a liberal interpretaiton of the President's declared 
policy towards deserters. I said in conclusion : "My anxiety 
to see the frontier people protected and the army if possible in- 
creased, must be my apology for troubling you on these subjects." 

Instead of General Baylor, as I requested, Gen. Henry McCul- 
loch and his command were assigned to duty on our northern 
border, in charge of the Indian country. General McCul- 
loch was a gallant fighter and frontiersman of large experience, 
and I wrote him a letter of congratulation, expressing at the 
same time my regret that the Indians were then committing so 
many depredations on the frontier, and also my fears that the 
effect on the soldiers whose families resided in the exposed coun- 
ties would be bad indeed. 

On the 8th of September, 1863, there occurred at Fort Grif- 
fin, commanding Sabine Pass, one of the most remarkable en- 
gagements of the war, resulting in a victory for the Confederate 
arms that immortalized those who participated in it. It is best 
described in the language of First Lieut. E. W. Dowling, who, 
with Company F, Cook's artillery, manned the works, and who 
was the recognized hero of the affair : 

"On Monday morning about 2 o'clock," says Lieutenant Dow- 
ling in his ofldcial report, "the sentinel informed me the enemy 
were signaling, and, fearing an attack, I ordered all the guns 
at the fort manned, and remained in that position until daylight, 

to confer upon the condition of the country west of the river, and place 
the General in possession of the resources of those States. The confer- 
ence proved highly satisfactory to those present, developing evidences 
of strength and ability to sustain the country west of the Mississippi 
beyond their most sanguine expectations." 



504 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



at which time there were two steamers evidently sounding for 
the channel on the bar, and a large frigate outside. They re- 
mained all day at work, but during the evening were reinforced 
to the number of twenty-two vessels of different classes. 

"On the morning of the 8th the United States gunboat Clifton 
anchored opposite the lighthouse and fired twenty-six shells at 
the fort, most of which passed a little over or fell short ; all, how- 
ever, in excellent range, one shell being landed on the works and 
another striking the south angle of the fort, without doing any 
material damage. The firing commenced at 6 :30 o'clock, and 
finished at 7 :30 o'clock by the gunboat hauling off. During 
this time we had not replied by a single shot. All was then quiet 
until 11 o'clock, at which time the gunboat Uncle Ben steamed 
down near the fort. The United States gunboat Sachem opened 
on her with a thirty-pounder Parrott gun. She fired three shots, 
but Mdthout effect, the shots all passing over the fort and missing 
the Ben. The whole fleet then drew off, and remained out of 
range until 3 :40 o'clock, when the Sachem and Arizona steamed 
into line up the Louisiana channel, the Clifton and one boat, 
name unknown, remaining at the junction of the two channels. 
I allowed the two former boats to approach within 1200 yards, 
when I opened fire with the whole of my battery on the fore- 
most boat (the Sachem), which, after the third or fourth round, 
hoisted the white flag, one of the shots passing through her steam 
drum. The Clifton in the meantime had attempted to pass up 
through Texas channel ; but, receiving a shot which carried away 
her tiller rope, she became unmanageable and grounded about 
500 yards below the fort, which enabled me to concentrate all 
my guns on her, which were six in number, two^ thirty-two- 
pounder smooth-bores, two twenty-four-pounder smooth-bores, 
and two thirty-two-pounder howitzers. She withstood our fire 
some twenty-five or thirty-five minutes, when she also hoisted a 
white flag. During the time she was aground she used grape, 
and her sharpshooters poured an incessant shower of minie balls 
into the works. 

"The fight lasted from the time I fired the first gun until the 
boats surrendered; that was about three-quarters of an hour. 

"I immediately boarded the captured Clifton and proceeded to 
inspect her magazine, accompanied by one of the ship's officers, 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 505 



and discovered it safe and well stocked with ordnance stores. I 
did not visit the magazine of the Sachem, in consequence of not 
having any small boats to board her with. The Confederate 
States gunboat Uncle Ben steamed down to the Sachem and 
towed her in to the wharf. Her magazine was destroyed by the 
enemy flooding it. 

"During the engagement I was nobly and gallantly assisted by 
Lieut. N. H. Smith, of the engineer corps, who by his coolness 
and bravery won the respect and admiration of the whole com- 
mand. This officer deserves well of his country. 

"To Assistant Surgeon George P. Bailey I am under many 
obligations, who, having nothing to do in his own line, nobly 
pulled otf his coat and assisted in administering Magruder pills 
to the enemy, and behaved with great coolness. 

"During the engagement the works were visited by Capt. F. 
H. Odium, commanding the post, and Maj. (Col.) Leon Smith, 
commanding marine department of Texas. 

"Capt. W. S. Good, ordnance officer, and Dr. Murray, acting 
assistant surgeon, behaved with great coolness and gallantry, and 
by them I was enabled to send for reinforcements, as the men 
were becoming exhausted by the rapidity of our fire ; but before 
they could accomplish their mission the enemy surrendered. 

"Thus, it will be seen, we captured with forty-seven men two 
gunboats, mounting thirteen guns of the heaviest caliber, and 
about 350 prisoners. All my men behaved like heroes; not a 
man flinched from his post. Our motto was, 'Victory or death.' 

"I beg leave to make particular mention of Private Michael 
McKeenan, who, from his well known capacity as a gunner, I 
assigned as gunner to one of the guns, and nobly did he do his 
duty. It was his shot that struck the Sachem in her steam 
drum. 

"Too much praise can not be awarded to Maj. (Col.) Leon 
Smith for his activity and energy in saving and bringing the 
vessels into port.""® 

'» Report of Lieut. Frederick Crocker, United States Navy, written 
while a prisoner at Houston, September 12, 1863: 

" The arrangements of the army being at last completed, the Clifton 
took up her position in the Texas channel and began to shell the enemy. 
The Sachem started up the Louisiana channel, followed by the Arizona, 



506 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



General Magruder characterized this engagement as one of the 
most extraordinary of the war. 

"The inquiry may naturally arise/' says Hon. Jefferson Davis 
in his "Else and Fall of the Confederacy," "how this small 

and after grounding slightly entered the channel fairly and joined in the 
action as they moved up. The Granite City and the General Banks, 
with their anchors up, lay ready to follow. At the second discharge 
from the enemy's guns the Clifton, with a full head of steam, steamed 
rapidly up the Texas channel toward the battery. When the Clifton 
was about halfway up to the battery it noticed, with great surprise, 
that the Granite City and the General Banks were still lying drifting 
across the tide, making no attempt to follow. At the same time a shot 
from the enemy struck the Sachem's boiler, disabling her instantly and 
silencing her fire; but, depending upon the support of all the others, 
the Clifton kept on her course. In a short time, however, her wheel 
rope was shot away, and she grounded sooner than was expected and in 
such a position that only three of her guns could bear on the battery; 
and with these we kept up the fight, making every effort to get the ves- 
sel afloat; but before we succeeded a shot passed through her boiler and 
machinery, disabling her completely. Until this time every man stood 
to his post and the fight was progressing favorably; but the steam drove 
all the sharpshooters off the upper deck. Many, thinking the vessel was 
about to blow up, jumped overboard. At the same time the enemy got 
our range and their fire began to tell severely. The vessel twice caught 
fire and the men were falling fast. My executive officer (acting master 
Robert Rhodes) fell mortally wounded. Two other officers received 
wounds, and the men, noticing that no support was near, many of 
them became unsteady. Enough of them remained, however, to keep 
up a very effectual fire, which was being done with the faint hope that 
we might yet be supported, when I was met by two of my officers and 
informed by one of them that he had hauled down the flag and that we 
could not fight any more. With great indignation I ordered it hoisted 
again, and all to stand to their guns; but the example was contagious; 
with few exceptions the men had left their guns and were taking to the 
water. At the same time a shot from the enemy disabled one of our 
three guns, and the lock of another broke, the remainder of the crew 
firing it with a hammer. Under these circumstances, and seeing that 
the Arizona failed to push on, or the Granite City and General Banks to 
make the slightest attempt to support me, the enemy's fire becoming 
more and more deadly, deserted by all but a few brilliant exceptions, I 
deemed it my duty to stop the slaughter by showing the white flag, 
which was done, and we fell into the hands of the enemy. While the 
fight was thus progressing the commander of the Sachem sent to the 
Arizona an order to advance and take him in tow, but it was not 
obeyed. The Arizona lay nearly silent until the termination of the 
fight, and then turned and fled." 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 507 



number of men could take charge of so large a body of prisoners. 
This required that, to their valor, they should add stratagem. 
A few men were placed on the parapet as sentinels, the rest were 
marched out as a guard to receive the prisoners and their arms. 
Thus was concealed the fact that the fort was empty. The re- 
port of the guns bombarding the fort had been heard, and soon 
after the close of the battle reinforcements arrived which relieved 
the little garrison from its embarrassment." 

Capt. Henry S. Lubbock says : "After the raising of the 
blockade, January 2, 1863, how long I do not now remember, 
the Federals came into Sabine Pass, went on to the old fort and 
spiked the two smooth-bore guns there, and broke off their trun- 
nions. Some time later General Magruder decided to send a 
company to the fort to place it in order. This company was the 
Davis Guards, commanded by Captain Odium, Richard Dowling 
first lieutenant. They were accompanied by an engineer officer 
from Louisiana by the name of Smith. The guns, with the help 
of a country blacksmith, were put in order by banding the trun- 
nions. The boys placed two buoys at the juncture of Texas and 
Louisiana channels over the bar, at a distance of about 800 yards 
from the fort, and practiced nearly every week, and became very 
proficient. An expedition about this tinae was fitted out by the 
Federal government to capture Sabine Pass. This expedition 
was under the command of General Franklin, was supplied with 
several gunboats and many transports, and numbered 12,000 
men. 

"Steaming up the narrow channel, the Federals saw two men 
on the ramparts, and fired on them repeatedly, but without 
effect, as the men, at the flash of the guns of the men-of-war, 
would leap from the parapet into the casemate, and, when the 
shots had hurtled past them over the works, return to their posts. 
The vessels continued to approach. Their commanders were 
aware of the fact that the fort had been dismantled several 
months before, and had no idea that it had been again put in 
a condition to offer serious resistance. As soon as two of the ves- 
sels arrived at the points where the practice buoys had been so 
often shot at, the Confederate gunners opened fire, and so well 
was it directed that the ships were speedily disabled and com- 
pelled to hoist the signal of defeat. One was the propeller 



508 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Sachem and the other the sidewheel boat Clifton. While both 
vessels were struck a number of times, the principal damage to 
the Sachem was a shot in her boiler, and to the Clifton the cut- 
ting away of a portion of her steering gear, — injuries that ren- 
dered the vessels unmanageable and helpless. 

"The affair at Sabine Pass occurred while I was doing duty 
in Galveston Bay. Though not an eye-witness to the action, I 
conversed, immediately after it occurred, with men who par- 
ticipated in it, and feel assured that the incidents related to me, 
and by me retold to the reader, are truthfully reported. 

"I was sent by General Magruder to take charge of the prizes, 
as it was expected that the Federal fleet would attempt to cut 
them out. The fleet hovered about the entrance to the pass for 
some time ; but, with the exception of one feeble night attempt, 
made no effort to re-enter the Pass, across one of the channels 
of which (at the lighthouse) I had swung the Sachem, to assist, 
if need be, in its defense." 

To properly appreciate the value of Dick Bowling's valiant 
achievement, we need only consider that, had the land forces of 
Franklin's fleet made a successful landing at Sabine, the victory 
would have served the purposes of the enemy even better than if 
he had first moved on Galveston and captured that city, for the 
reason that had a lodgment been effected at Fort Griffin, the 
enemy could have perfected organization and equipment and 
marched into the interior before we could have assembled and 
confronted him with an opposing force, a movement that he 
could not have executed from Galveston, as he could have been 
confined to the island until the whole strength of Texas could 
have been hurled against him. Sabine Pass was of further value 
to us from the fact that it was the most available port for run- 
ning the blockade, and that it was saved to us, if nothing more 
had been accomplished, would have amply justified the congratu- 
lations and words of praise that were showered upon its de- 
fender by civil and military officials, press and people. 

Had the Federal army landed there, it would have been be- 
tween Taylor, Magruder, and Kirby Smith. "Had the landing 
been accomplished either at the Pass or below," says General 
Banks, in a letter to General Halleck, "a movement would have 
been immediately made for Beaumont from the Pass, or for 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 509 



Liberty if the landing had been made below, and thence directly 
to Houston, where fortifications would have been thrown up, and 
our line of communication and supplies immediately established 
at the mouth of the Brazos Eiver, west of Houston, until we 
could have gained possession of Galveston Island and city. I 
should have had in ten days from the landing 20,000 men at 
Houston, where, strongly fortified, they could have resisted the 
attack of any force that it was possible to concentrate at that 
time. Houston would have been nearly in the center of the 
forces in and about Louisiana and Texas, commanding all the 
principal communications, and would have given us ultimately 
the possession of the State." 



510 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



CHAPTEE TWENTY-SEVEN. 

Consul Theron, at Galveston, and Governor Pickens, of South Carolina — 
Gen. E. Kirby Smith to Minister Slidell in Paris on French Interven- 
tion — Maj. John Tyler's Memorial to the Governor of Texas — Gov- 
ernor Murrah — My Last Official Message and Address — The Military 
Situation — Commissioned as Lieutenant-Colonel in the Confederate 
States Army. 

I have before me a printed letter, or circular, sent to me by 
Gov. F. W. Pickens, of South Carolina, addressed to the Gover- 
nors of the Confederate States, under date of March 22, 1862, 
favoring a conference of the Governors to decide upon measures 
that would enable them to render more efficient support to the 
Confederate government. He stated that in this way definite 
knowledge could be obtained as to the resources of the several 
States for the manufacture of munitions of war, and an agree- 
ment reached as to the currency issued and circulated by each; 
that necessary measures could be adopted with regard to block- 
ade-running, and that a plan could possibly be devised for the 
organization of the militia and the forming of a great central 
camp of 100,000 men, to be drilled and held in readiness for any 
emergency. Governor Pickens then went on to say : "There may 
be interposition of foreign powers, but it will be after both par- 
ties are so exhausted that they will be able to interfere as 
quasi protectors. Under the treaty by which the first Napoleon 
ceded Louisiana, the protection of property and personal rights 
was guaranteed to the citizens of the ceded territory. The time 
may come when the present sagacious emperor of the French 
may interfere and assert the doctrine that the country west of 
the Mississippi was ceded to the United States as a government, 
and that, as such a government may be destroyed l)y being broken 
into separate combinations, and also that the rights of persons 
and property may be destroyed, he will interfere and assume 
the exercise of the power resulting from reverted, or lapsed, 
sovereignty. 

"... All these foreign issues that may arise will be 
deeply important to us. . . . No human sagacity can see at 
present what may be before us. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 511 



"It is clear, in any point of view, that our very existence as a 
free people is now immediately involved in the terrible conflict 
upon which we seem to be just entering." 

I was too intent on the prosecution of my jjroper labors in 
looking after the interests of my own State, and in giving aid 
to the Confederate authorities in the way they had asked for it, 
to engage in any outside work, and I declined to consider the 
proposition. In my reply to Governor Pickens I said : 

"We are entirely isolated from our sister States, having no 
railroad communication or other means of speedy intercourse. 
Texas is doing all she can to comply with every requisition made 
upon her. 

"I am happy to state that instead of 6 per cent of the white 
population (the quota required), we have in the service about 
13 per cent. She has to protect her coast and frontier, and to- 
day we have not a soldier in service within the State that does 
not reside within her territory. 

"From the isolation of our position, we must be self-reliant, 
and should the invader come, Texas must meet him alone and 
unaided. We know this ; still our men are rushing to Arkansas, 
Tennessee, and Virginia, and with them they take what arms and 
ammunition they can control. 

"Under these circumstances she cannot enter into any arrange- 
ments with the States outside of her duties to the general gov- 
ernment. Eest assured, sir, that we have every confidence in the 
general result. We well know that gallant South Carolina will 
perform well her part in the great struggle, and I venture to say 
Texas Vill keep up her corner.' " 

A few months later I received a letter (dated August 19, 
1862) from B. Theron, the French and Spanish consul at Gal- 
veston. I thought I saw in the letter a bid for French interven- 
tion in the affairs of Texas as a power independent of the Con- 
federacy. I repelled the idea with scorn. 

I replied, September 9th, to the note of M. Theron, as follows 
[the unimportant paragraphs are omitted] : 

"In answer to your first interrogatory, permit me to say that 
the annexation of Texas to the United States was a good political 
measure. 

"As to your second question, I answer most emphatically that 



512 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



the act of disunion and of the junction of the State of Texas to 
the Southern States was a good and proper political step. 

"In reply to your third inquiry, I have to say, the re-establish- 
ment of the old Eepublic of Texas will not be beneficial to our 
beloved adopted country. 

"Texas has linked her fate with those of her sisters of the 
South. She will be true, steadfast, and victorious."' 

This done, I, on September 11th, enclosed Theron's note and 
my reply thereto in a letter to President Davis, in which I said : 

"I have the honor to forward for your consideration the en- 
closed copies of letters, the one marked A from the French and 
Spanish consul at Galveston, the other marked B being my reply 
thereto. 

"As the proceeding of the said consul would seem to indicate 
an incipient intrigue, I have deemed it proper to advise you 
thereof on the threshold." 

As the result of this piece of official impertinence, Theron was 
expelled from the Confederacy by President Davis, as Genet, for 
a like ofilense, had been expelled from the United States. 

As to French intervention. Gen. E. Kirby Smith the next 
year (1863) in a letter to John Slidell,^" our agent in Paris, 
said in part : 

"The action of the French in Mexico, the erection of an em- 
pire under their auspices, makes the establishment of the Con- 
federacy the policy of the French government. The condition 
of the States west of the Mississippi, separated from the general 
government at Eichmond ; the exhausted state of the country, 
with its fighting population in the armies east of the Mississippi ; 
the vast preparations making by the enemy to complete the occu- 

*" General Smith most probably did not act in this matter without 
the sanction of the Confederate government. And Major Tyler's paper, 
submitted a few weeks later to Governor Lubbock, embodying practi- 
cally the same ideas, confirms the view that the policy of inaugurating 
a movement to bring about French intervention had at least the secret 
approval of President Davis. It was evidently the only policy that 
could ensure Confederate independence. Had England and Prance set 
the Confederacy on its legs there would have been a 'perpetual French 
empire in Mexico, and perpetual British dominion in Canada. It was 
their last opportunity to secure or maintain a foothold on this continent. 
Ed. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 513 



pation and the subjugation of this whole Western Department, 
are all matters which, if properly brought before the French 
emperor, should influence him in hastening the intervention of 
his good services in our behalf. This succor must come speedily, 
or it will be too late. Without assistance from abroad, or an 
extraordinary interposition of Providence, less than twelve 
months will see this country irretrievably lost, and the French 
protectorate in Mexico will find a hostile power established on 
their frontier, of exhaustless resources and great military 
strength, impelled by revenge and the traditional policy of its 
government to overthrow all foreign influences on the American 
continent. . . . The barbarous conduct of the war by the 
enemy calls loudly for the interposition of those powers who 
really hold the destiny of our country in their hands." 

One week before my term of ofiice expired, John Tyler, son of 
ex-President Tyler, came to Austin, and addressed to the Gover- 
nor of Texas, the Governor-elect, and those in authority, a vo- 
luminous and ably written paper contending that, as Texas was 
a part of the Louisiana territory sold by France to the United 
States, and that, as in the treaty Bonaparte had stipulated that 
the inhabitants should be protected in their lives, liberties, and 
property (all of which were then assailed), they had a right to 
appeal to France for protection, and that the then Bonapartist 
emperor of the French would gladly take advantage of the op- 
portunity to interfere in their behalf. He said that the States 
of Louisiana, Arkansas, and ]\rissouri, being bound hand and 
foot, Texas (free from the invader and still proudly defiant) was 
alone in position to make the appeal, and should make it with- 
out delay. Many pages of beautiful English were wasted by him 
to no purpose. No Texan seriously entertained for a moment the 
idea of abandoning the Confederacy, or any portion thereof, to 
continue without the aid of his State the desperate struggle 
which all had entered together, in which all were engaged, and 
that according to the rules of honor, as interpreted by our peo- 
ple, must bring victory or bring defeat to all.^^ 

81 Mr. N. L. Xorton told me in February, 1900, in substance that he 
attended Maj. John Tylor from General Price's headquarters in Ark- 
ansas in the fall of 1803, to Austin, with instructions to secure if pos- 

33 



514 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



As to Texas, she needed uo foreign bhyonets to protect her 
soil; that, her own sons had demonstrated their ability to do; 
and besides, she had been gallantly represented by regiments, 
composed of her bravest and best, on every battlefield from New 
Mexico to Virginia. 

I and others were still confident that the Confederacy would 
be victorious, and to effect that consummation devoted our every 
energy, wasting no time or strength upon Utopian schemes. 

If the aid of the French or any other European power was to 
be secured for the Confederacy, it could be secured by the Rich- 
mond government in more adequate form and upon better terms 
than it could be obtained by a single State or any number less 
than all. So believing, I transferred the consideration of that 
subject entirely to that government.*- 

sible suitable action upon the part ol the Texas authorities to bring to 
a head the proposal that it was said Marshal Bazaine was ready to make 
in Mexico looking to French intervention in our behalf. These gentle- 
men were several weeks the guests of Mr. James Bouldin, living on the 
south side of the river opposite the capital. Mr. Bouldin approving- the 
plan, Major Tyler prepared his argument, writing at it from day to day. 
When completed it was read and approved by all; a copy was taken, 
and the original presented by the gentlemen to Governor Lubbock in 
person. The Governor received them courteously and listened atten- 
tively to the reading of the document; but said the matter was of too 
grave a character for him to act upon without consulting President Davis, 
and that would be impossible for him to do, as his term of office would 
expire in a few days. Mr. Norton, now a highly respected citizen of 
Austin, was then a captain in the Confederate army. He believes that 
an alliance could have been effected between France and the Confed- 
eracy had Texas promptly taken the initiative. — Ed. 

8^1 have carefully read Major Tyler's paper, in the office of the Sec- 
retary of State. It is an able argument, designed to prove that the 
Confederacy, unless aided by some European power, was certain to be 
crushed sooner or later; that an opportunity for securing help through 
an appeal to France for intervention to maintain the terms of Napo- 
leon's treaty ceding Louisiana to the United States was now aiTorded; 
that Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana being overrun by the Yankees, 
it devolved upon Texas to make that appeal on behalf of herself and 
her downtrodden and helpless sister States. This did not imply deser- 
tion of the Confederacy, as, had intervention been secured in behalf of 
the States carved out of the Louisiana purchase, its" benefits, through a 
Franco- Yankee war, would have inured to the whole Confederacy. 

The French authorities in Mexico, having no pretext founded on an 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 515 



No Democratic or other State conventions were held in 18G3. 
Hon. Pendleton i\Iurrah and Judge T. J. Chambers were the 
candidates for Governor before the people, and at the election 
in the fall of that year Mr. Murrah was chosen over his com- 
petitor b}^ a handsome majority. 

The Tenth Legislature met November 2, and a few days there- 
after I sent in a message, in which I said in part : 

"The mighty contest in which is involved, on our part, our 
property, lives, liberty, and honor, has progressed, since your 
adjournment, checkered with alternate successes and reverses to 
oiir arms. In the general summing up, however, of results, we 
have no reason to despond or falter. 

"The war has, nevertheless, assumed gigantic proportions, de- 
manding sacrifices on the part of all ; our people are unalterably 
fixed in the determination to prosecute it to the bitter end, and 
never to yield while a man is left to strike a blow for freedom. 
As the contest lengthens our armies become more experienced 
and efficient in the varied and difficult requirements of active 
warfare, and their present condition, if supported as the neces- 
sities of their situation demand, is such as to inspire us with a 
just confidence in their power to successfully resist the hosts of 
the enemy. 

"It is true that A'icksburg and Port Hudson are both in the 
enemy's possession ; their defense was alike honorable to their 
respective garrisons, and conferred additional luster upon the 
Southern name. Those positions were wrested from us, not by 
the prowess of the enemy's armies, but by the total exhaustion of 
our magazines. The 'gloom that for a moment overshadowed the 
minds of our people upon their loss was quickly dissipated before 
the inherent courage of the Southern race, which rose equal to 
the emergency. The results to the enemy have proved wholly 
inadequate to the great sacrifices made by them in securing those 
points, and to-day, with those positions in their hands, the navi- 

appeal for intervention from Texas, soon assured United States Minister 
Corwin that France would not interfere in the affairs of the Confed- 
eracy, and the main Yankee army was withdrawn from southwestern 
Texas to enter upon the Red River campaign of 1S64. Upon what small 
threads great events hang! Had Governor ISIurrah met the French over- 
tures vigorously and with wisdom, there might have been a Southern 
Confederacv now. — Ed. 



516 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



gation of the Mississippi is to them a myth. We could well 
afford to fortify several such places and surrender them upon 
the same terms as Vicksburg and Port Hudson. 

"The occupation of those fortresses in a degree separates the 
States of the Trans-Mississippi Department from their sister 
States east of the Mississippi, and we must contend at present 
alone against the numerous armies of the enemy thrown against 
us upon this side of that river for our subjugation. Their forces 
are in possession of Missouri, of a large portion of Arkansas and 
Louisiana, and their standards are nearly advanced to the bor- 
ders of Texas. The executive has exerted the power to the extent 
vested in him by law to call forth the resources of the State to 
meet the crisis that is upon her. The whole resources of the 
State, both in men and means, are, however, demanded by the 
exigencies of her position, and it is for your honorable body to 
take such measures as will develop them to the utmost, and bring 
them into effective operation for the safety of the State and the 
success of the general cause. Without such vigorous action, it is 
to be feared unnumbered calamities and misfortunes will be the 
penalty of our supineness and want of patriotism ; and Texans 
must rise in their might, as one man, with one sole resolve — to 
be free, or perish with the land of their birth and adoption ! 
Thus animated, we shall conquer, and Texas will be the grave, 
not the inheritance, of the invader. 

"The ranks of the brave men in the field have been thinned by 
disease and the sword, — they look to you to call forth the re- 
sources of the State to aid them in saving the country, and save 
them from being crushed by the superior forces and means of the 
enemy. 

"The States west of the Mississippi Eiver have fighting men 
enough in arms and those capable of bearing arms, together with 
resources amply sufficient to protect, defend, and drive from 
their territory the last Yankee soldier that may invade us ; but 
to effect this we must realize the fact that the country is at war; 
private affairs must cease to occupy so much of our attention; 
we must all be stimulated with a patriotic determination to be 
free, and to rid our soil of the foul presence of our hated 
enemies. 

"The swarms of men engaged in profitable business on their 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 517 



own account, who are exempted from or avoid military service 
upon one pretext or another, the thousands occupied in driving 
teams and cattle for the government and government contractors, 
must be placed in their respective companies and replaced with 
negroes. The able-bodied soldiers and employes about the posts 
and towns must take the field, and their places be supplied bv 
the old, the very young, and the infirm. 

"The Confederate Congress and the Legislatures of the sev- 
eral States must do away with all exemptions and substitutions, 
— convert every man in the country into a soldier until this war 
is over. Instead of exempting men, let them, when necessary, 
be detailed to perform such duties as may be required of them. 
The Confederate Congress, in passing an exemption law, did so 
for the public good, and not to subserve the private interests of 
the individuals exempted. Unfortunately, most exempts appear 
to have come to the conclusion that it w^as some particular favor 
granted to them, and they have used their position as exempts, 
in too many cases, entirely for their personal benefit and ad- 
vancement. 

"Time has demonstrated that exemption from military service 
has proved of doubtful policy, and worked an injury to our cause. 
I trust this policy will be at once abandoned. 

"The practice of allowing men to furnish substitutes has been 
a great bane to the army; every man capable of doing military 
duty should represent himself in this great struggle. The result 
of permitting substitutes is, that those who wish to avoid service, 
and have means, can bid the most exorbitant prices for the ser- 
vice obtained, and to such an extent has it been carried that suiall 
fortunes are being paid to secure a substitute, rendering it ex- 
clusively beneficial to the wealthy. 

"There are a large number of people among us who are en- 
tirely devoted to the wald hunt after wealth. 

"This mania is confined to no particular class, but pervades 
all occupations and employments. It embraces the shopkeeper, 
the planter, the farmer, stock raiser, the professional man, me- 
chanic, minister of the gospel, and in some instances the soldier 
himself. I blush to say that in Texas, where we have thousands 
of surplus bushels of corn, wheat, barley, oats, rye, etc., with 
no enemy in our midst robbing, burning, and destroying our 



518 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



propert}', these articles are higher than in our sister States, in 
part occupied by the enemy, and that Confederate treasury notes 
are less appreciated than in any State of the Confederacy. 

"In March last, Major-General Magruder requested of me the 
use of the penitentiary as a place of confinement for the prisoners 
of war in his district. I acceeded to his request, conditioned that 
such use should not impair the material interests of the institu- 
tion. I wrote to this effect to the superintendent and authorized 
him to receive the prisoners, if he was satisfied the material inter- 
ests of the institution would not suffer. The prisoners were re- 
ceived some time in the later end of April or beginning of May. 
Subsequently doubts arose in my mind as to the propriety of the 
step, solely, however, upon the ground of risk to the estabish- 
ment, and not as to the propriety of its use as a place of confine- 
ment for prisoners, the enemy having frequently incarcerated our 
soldiers in such places. I thereupon addressed Brigadier-General 
Scurry, requesting their withdrawal, which was done. In the 
month of October I received two communications from Major- 
General Magruder, again urgently requesting its use for the 
safe keeping of Federal prisoners of war taken at Sabine Pass. 
Many very important reasons were adduced by him in support of 
the measure, but none sufficient, in my judgment, to overcome 
my previous objections, and which I yet entertain, viz., the risk 
of destruction to the sole manufactory of cloth west of the Mis- 
sissippi River, of incalculable importance, therefore, to the 
armies of the Trans-Mississippi Department. I declined his 
request. I respectfully ask the Legislature to take into consid- 
eration the propriety of using the penitentiary for such pur- 
pose. . . . 

"In calling for 10,000 men to fill the last requisition made 
upon me by the commanding general of this district, I was of 
opinion the time had arrived when the necessities of the country 
demanded the services of every man liable under the military 
law. I therefore directed all aliens to be enrolled and subjected 
to the draft. I am clearly of opinion that they are liable under 
the law. Many protests have been filed with this department, 
and various parties, representing themselves as foreign consuls, 
have made applications for the release of individuals as subjects 
of foreign powers. Their liability to draft resting solely on the 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 519 



question of domicile, I have left them to pursue their remedy 
tlirough the courts, in the meantime retainiii<i- thcin as State 
soldiers. 

"... I had hoped that ere this an occasion would have 
offered when I could with safety to the frontier have transferred 
the frontier regiment to the Confederate service. I have never, 
however, received such assurances of its continuance on the line, 
or the replacing of it with other efficient troops, as would justify 
me either in transferring or disbanding it ; hence it has been con- 
tinued in State service. This little command has been charged 
with the defense of a line nearly five hundred miles in length. 
That it has not accomplished this duty to the satisfaction of all 
those most deeply interested is not to be wondered at. I doubt, 
however, if any other regiment similarly situated could have 
done better. 

"I regret to say that for several months past the depredations 
have been very frequent. Murders have been committed and 
horses stolen. I fear the Indians have been instigated to these 
acts by our barbarous Yankee enemies and the renegade whites 
among them. My views in regard to our Indian enemies are now 
as they have ever been. We can hope for no peace with them un- 
til we are in a position to dictate terms; and to do this we must 
pursue them to their own homes, chastising them with a heavy 
hand. 

"In calling out ti'oops I have in some cases exempted the fron- 
tier counties and held their men for local defense. I have au- 
thorized the formation of minute companies in them, to be com- 
posed of furloughed conscripts and those liable to State service, 
for the protection of the families in those exposed regions. These 
organizations are progressing and will, I trust, render efficient 
service. The establishment of the northern sub-military district 
of Texas by the Confederate authorities, and the concentration 
of troops in that vicinity, will, I believe, aid materially in the 
general protection of the frontier. . . 

"In view of the isolation of the States west of the ^lississippi 
River, whereby they are thrown upon their own resources, and 
the great difficulties attending the receipt of arms and munitions 
of war from east of that river, I most earnestly recommend that 
an appropriation of not less than $1,000,000 be made, based 
upon cotton bonds, or that cotton be purchased, to be paid for in 



520 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



bonds ; and that the sum so appropriated be invested in arms and 
munitions of war for the benefit of tlie State. Arms and muni- 
tions could be thus speedily procured, and would enable us suc- 
cessfully to resist an invasion by the enemy. 

"I can not close this, probably my last official communication 
to any Legislature of Texas, without again congratulating you 
on the general prosperity of our State. Texas has indeed cause 
to be thankful to Divine Providence for the many evidences of 
His sustaining arm exhibited during the progress of this great 
contest. She has been blessed with abundant harvests and un- 
paralleled health ; and in every instance in which our people 
have been called to meet the ruthless invader their gallantry, with 
the aid of God, has been rewarded with entire success. Were it 
not for the great loss we have sustained in our brave men who 
have fallen by the sword of the enemy, and alas, too many by 
disease, we could scarcely realize the dreadful scenes that have 
been enacted in other portions of the Confederacy. Her in- 
ternal affairs are in a most prosperous condition, and our State 
finances present a most encouraging view for a people engaged 
in so great and exhausting a war. . . . 

"We miist be united, — we must be as a band of brothers, — 
we must and will sustain the patriotic and intellectual states- 
man at the head of the government, the gallant commanders, 
and their chivalrous soldiers. We will sustain the families of 
those bravely doing battle for our country — we will forget our 
private interests — we will forego the love of money, ease, and 
luxury — we will all pledge ourselves to do these things, rally 
around the standards of our bleeding country, and continue to 
strike as long as an armed Yankee stands upon our soil." 

My term of service as Governor of Texas having drawn to a 
close, I, upon the occasion of the inauguration of my successor, 
delivered a parting address, in the presence of the assembled rep- 
resentatives of the people and a large gathering of citizens, met 
together within the walls of the capitol. Many ladies graced 
the hall with their presence and lent inspiration to the moment. 
In my address I said, among other things : 

"Two years ago, called by the partiality and suffrages of the 
people of Texas, I, upon this stand and in this building, in the 
presence of Almighty God, assumed to discharge the important 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 521 



duties incumbent upon me as the chief executive of the noble, 
chivalrous, and patriotic State of Texas. 

"In accordance with their mandates, and in obedience to the 
Constitution and laws, I am here to-day to surrender those trusts 
into the hands of the people, and of the distinguished citizen 
who is entitled to assume them. 

"In this crisis we may esteem ourselves fortunate in being 
thus peaceably permitted to assemble and witness our State gov- 
ernment pursuing its usual functions, without the fear of in- 
terruption from the abolition despot and his Hessian soldiery. 

"On that occasion I swore 'to faithfully and impartially dis- 
charge and perform all the duties incumbent on me as Governor, 
according to the best of my skill and ability, agreeably to the 
Constitution and laws of the State of Texas, and also to the 
Constitution and laws of the Confederate States of America, so 
long as the State of Texas shall remain a member of that Con- 
federacy.' In strict compliance with that obligation, I have 
studiously endeavored to discharge every duty incumbent on me. 
That I have acted faithfully and impartially, I know full Well. 
In the troublous times that have encompassed us since my eleva- 
tion to office I could scarcely hope to conduct the affairs of a 
State like ours, so extensive in territory, so diversified in in- 
terests, with an exposed frontier extending from Red River to 
the Rio Grande, with such skill and ability as to give universal 
and entire satisfaction. 

"While I have earnestly sought to discharge all the duties im- 
posed on me as chief magistrate of the State, I most freely ad- 
mit that the great war in which we are involved has engaged the 
most of my time and energy. On entering upon the duties of 
my office, I was fully impressed with the many responsibilities 
I was assuming. I felt satisfied the war would be prosecuted 
by our enemies with all the fiendish barbarity they have shown 
themselves so capable of inflicting upon a people so superior to 
them in all that constitutes manliness, virtue, and chivalry. I 
was convinced that no means would be left untried to reduce the 
people of the Southern States to the condition of liewers of 
wood and drawers of water' for their Yankee taskmasters, and 
that, failing in all else, they would seek finally to raise a servile 
war in our midsl, with the hope of ultimately subjugating or an- 



522 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



nihilating us. I have not been mistaken; and if to-day every 
city, town, village, and farm yard is not red with the blood of our 
women and children, shed by our servile population, it is not be- 
cause our more than savage and despicable foes have not desired 
and attempted to accomplish it. The evidence of their hellish 
design they have themselves unblushingly proclaimed to an in- 
dignant world. The skill and bravery of our generals, the en- 
ergy and heroism of our men, have thus far baffled the fiendish 
purpose. 

"To-day our cause looks brighter than it has for many months 
past. In every attempt of the enemy to penetrate our State he 
has been signally repulsed. The invincible army of Rosecrans, 
as vauntingly termed by a boastful press, has met with a dis- 
graceful and disastrous overthrow,*^ while the army of Meade 
is reduced to a painful defensive for the protection of the North- 
ern capital. Our gallant little corps in Louisiana, strictly com- 
posed of Texans, harasses him continually. Charleston the 
'Doomed City,' still defiantly answers the thunder of his guns, 
peal for peal, her citizens evincing a determination to bury 
themselves in her ruins rather than yield. Our armies every- 
where are strong, in excellent condition, well fed and clothed. 
We are daily improving in the production of supplies at home 
for the use of our people and army ; munitions of war in abund- 
ance are being manufactured within the Confederacy; our peo- 
ple are rising daily equal to the emergency of the times, and be- 
coming more self-reliant and defiant. 

"A spirit of resistance is seizing hold of the very young and 
old that will ultimately place every man' able to bear arms into 
the service of the country. They are schooling themselves to be- 
lieve that nothing can be valuable to them, or be worth living for, 
unless our independence is secured. 

"The noble women, too, of our country are ever in advance 
of the men. They are imbued with the conviction that submis- 
sion would leave them the slaves of most miserable and cowardly 
taskmasters, — that they would l)e forced into association with a 
people whom, from their cowardly and brutal atrocities, they 
have learned to hate and despise. Hence they are prepared to 
make every sacrifice on the altar of freedom, — hence it is that 

*^ At the battle of Chickamauga. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 523 



their wealth is freely lavished, — that we find them iu the cities 
and towns as well as b}- the roadside, ministering with tender 
and devoted care and assiduity to the necessities of the sick and 
wounded soldier; that we behold them, morning, noon, and 
night, sewing, knitting, weaving and si)inning for the 'brave 
soldier boys;' finally, they give up to their struggling country 
their fathers, husbands, brothers, sons, and lovers, preferring to 
be orphaned, widowed, and brotherless to seeing their country 
overrun and reduced by a people as demoralized, infidel, and 
barbarous as our Northern foes. 

"With such spirit and determination animating our people, 
we have nothing to fear. 

"I presume that most men in the South feel as I do. I know 
that secession was a necessity forced upon the South and under- 
taken that her freedom might be preserved, and, in assisting to 
bring about that measure, I felt that, as a good and true man, 
I from that day belonged to my country ; that, whatever adversi- 
ties might follow that step, as an honest man and a patriot, I 
should bear them without a murmur; that all I possessed of 
ability, energy, time, property, aye, life itself, all belonged to 
the country, and when called for, must be laid upon the altar 
of freedom. I resolved that, whilst this war lasted, all private 
enterprise should be abandoned and that it would be a fraud 
upon the people, and a crime against our sacred cause, to neg- 
lect public duties for the pursuit of private aggrandizement." 

I thpn spoke in appreciative terms of the men who, in the be- 
ginning, favored longer continuance in the Union but later 
turned loyally to the defense of the State and the South when 
the decisive step of separation had been taken in obedience to 
the judgment and legally expressed will of a majority of their 
fellow citizens. Continuing, I said : 

"I have long since risen to the magnitude of the contest in 
which we are involved. I believe that war ! war ! war ! should be 
our all-absorbing business until we have conquered our inde- 
pendence; and while I would confine myself, and wish to see 
all in authority keep themselves, within the limits of the Con- 
stitution, I would have legislators, governors, judges, and people 
feel that it is imperative on them to make laws and execute 
them, whereby that Constitution, our property, our freedom. 



524 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



will be i^reserved. I have felt that it was no time 'to fiddle while 
Eome was burning.' I have felt that these were not times in 
which to be over-punctillious, letting the cause of the country 
perhaps suffer whilst discussing j)oiiits of military usage or 
etiquette. 

"When I entered upon the discharge of my duties, I deter- 
mined to cherish, foster, and aid the Confederate government 
in the prosecution of this war in every way I could legitimately ; 
I knew the people so desired — the Legislature so indicated. I 
resolved it should never be said that I held back men or means 
as long as I could control and furnish either in aid of the war. 
I am proud of the conviction that, during my administration, I 
have furnished more men than have been called for.'' 

After stating that Texas, when called upon, would in my 
opinion be able to furnish still further troops, if proper meas- 
ures were taken in advance looking to that end, I reminded the 
Legislature of the obligation that rested upon it to enact effec- 
tive laws to put every available man in the service ; do away with 
all exemptions; provide penalties for desertion; force aliens to 
serve for home defense or leave the country; punish disloyalty; 
confiscate the property of all who had left or might thereafter 
leave to avoid service; limit the rates of profits on merchandise 
and the price of articles of prime necessity, and impress the 
goods of all extortioners, monopolizers, and engrossers, when 
needed for public purposes or the support of soldiers' families. 

I urged the ladies to continue in their good work of encourag- 
ing our soldiers by word and deed. I stated that I severed my 
official connections at the capitol with regret, and that in doing 
so I desired to pay a public and just tribute to the fidelity and 
capacity of my associates. 

In referring to the severance of social ties, I said: "I can 
but admit that I do regret to give up many pleasant associations 
connected with my temporary sojourn at the capital. With all 
the cares and responsibilities resting upon me, my time has been 
agreeably spent. Kindness has never been more universally ex- 
tended in any place, or in any community, than has been be- 
stowed upon me and mine by the people of Austin. So long as 
memory lasts, the friendships, attachments, and associations 
formed here will cling to me and mine with pride and pleasure, 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 525 



and in my future life I shall endeavor to so carry myself, in 
whatever position I may be placed, as never to forfeit the friend- 
ship and esteem of those who have so confided in and treated me." 

I truthfully declared that I retired from office with something 
to be prized better even than the approval of my constituents, — 
the consciousness of having faithfully, honestly, and impartially 
discharged my duty. 

In concluding, I announced that it was my intention to con- 
tinue in the service of the country till the end of the war. 

The evening of the day, November 5, 1863, that my term 
as Governor of the State expired, I surprised my friends by ap- 
pearing at the inaugural ball of Governor Murrah in the uni- 
form of an officer of the Confederate army. I had received the 
appointment of assistant adjutant-general, with the rank of 
lieutenant-colonel, from Gen. E. Kirby Smith, commanding the 
Trans-]\Iississippi Department; the appointment to take effect 
November 5, 1863. In notifying me of my appointment. General 
Smith wrote me, under date of October 22, 1863, from Shreve- 
port. La. : 

"I enclose j^ou an appointment as lieutenant-colonel in the ad- 
jutant-general's department. This is the highest appointment 
that has ever been made in any of the staff corps of the pro- 
visional army. 

"In enclosing this appointment, let me thank you for the 
heart}^ co-operation you have ever given, and for the zeal and 
self-sacrificing patriotism you have displayed in the true interest 
of the Confederacy, while exercising the functions of chief ex- 
ecutive of your State." 

My appointment was approved by the President and eon- 
firmed by the Senate, March 16, 1864. 

In retiring from the governorship, T did so with the conscious- 
ness of having performed my duty fully. With all my energy, 
I worked at the diversified duties of my office : The I'rontier de- 
fense, as if the safety of my scalp depended u]ion success; the 
penitentiary, as if I were to be sent there if its manufactories 
were not made useful to the fullest extent; the organization of 
troops, as if I expected to march at their head for military glory ; 
the comfort of the families of soldiers, as if they were all person- 
ally my friends ; the protection of the coast, until we had a 
manufactory for heavy ordnance and the State owned the Bayou 



526 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



City, that did good service iu our waters; the distilleries, with 
as much enthusiasm as a prohibitionist (that we might have 
more and cheaper bread, and better disciplined soldiers). I 
gave attention to the home arrangements for women to weave 
and spin (procuring cards and thread to make clothes for their 
husbands and children) ; to the comfort of the sick in hospitals, 
as well as our soldiers in the field. Nor did I overlook thie 
blind, deaf and dumb, and insane institutions, though, of course, 
they were not supported as in peaceful times. In every respect, 
military as well as civil, I duly considered the importance of 
economy in the expenditure of all public funds. 

As soon as the control of the Mississippi was lost to us, all 
the energy I possessed, all the arguments I could advance, all the 
influences I could bring to bear were exerted to solidify the 
Statrs west of that river in an earnest and determined adherence 
to the cause of the entire South. My whole heart and soul in- 
tent upon the successful termination of her struggle for inde- 
pendence, I was no stickler for any particular plan, stood not 
foolishly upon my dignity, or for that of any other person. I was 
not squeamish^* how affairs made progress by this plan, or by 
that, if they were honorable. I only wished them to move onward 
to victory for the Confederacy. 

I was on friendly terms with all of the commanders of Texas 
and of the department of the Trans-Mississippi, and conferred 
freely with them, and, asked or unasked, advised as I thought 
best for the public good. If they called for men, I got them; 
if for anything else that the State could furnish, they were 
welcome to have it. 

And though we were defeated and had to go through the ordeal 
of reconstruction, and while I am content with the issue of 
events, more especially so as the Democratic party is in control 
of the South, and its liberties are therefore secure, I look back 
upon the past with pride, and not regret, for its story, rightly 
told, will challenge the admiration of mankind as long as civic 

8 4 There was nothing that showed Governor Lubbock's singleness of 
purpose in his devotion to the public interest more clearly than his 
hearty acquiescence in all measures tending to this end without raising 
captious objections or constitutional questions. His motto was to win 
our independence first and the hair splitting legal quibbles could be set- 
tled afterwards. — Ed. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 527 



virtue and Spartan valor shall find admirers upon the earth, and 
a single worshiper shall bend before the shrine of constitu- 
tional liberty. 

The struggle on the part of the Southern people was a right- 
eous one, and bravely and grandly made. As a participant in it 
I sought to do my full duty. My recollection of its incidents, 
and of the heroes, statesmen, patriots, and soldiers who moved 
amid its stormy, shifting, and trying scenes, are treasured as 
the holiest memories that remain with me to stir the pulses of 
my heart and cheer the closing hours of my declining life. The 
blood, the heart, the brain of the grand old Confederate host 
that made such a heroic struggle for their States' rights in the 
sixties, is the heritage of their descendants, who will, I trust, 
make the South, if not like the Old South in manner, like, it in 
spirit — brave, noble, and honestlv intelligent. 



528 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



CHAPTEE TWENTY-EIGHT. 

Banks' Expedition to the Rio Grande — Colonels Haynes and Davis and 
Governor Hamilton — My Assignment to Duty on Magruder's Staff — 
Our Need of Arms — Confronting the Enemy on Matagorda Bay — 
Baptism of Fire — No French Intervention — Change of Base by the 
Enemy. 

The Yankees, driven from Galveston and foiled at Sabine 
Pass, fitted out an expedition under General Dana to proceed to 
the Eio Grande for the purpose of invading Texas from the west. 
After a stormy passage of a week's duration, the fleet, with the 
Thirteenth army corps, arrived off Brazos Santiago in bad plight. 

On landing, General Banks, who accompanied the expedition, 
sent the following dispatch to General Halleck and the Presi- 
dent of the United States : "The flag of the Union floated 
over Texas to-day (November 2, 1863) at meridian precisely." 
This declaration was intended to make known to the world that 
Union troops were on the soil for the purpose of subjugating 
Texas, and was in the nature of notice served on the French to 
keep hands off. Frank Gildart, a Texan refugee who de- 
serted to us immediately after landing, reported that the Yan- 
kees had lost on the trip three steamboats, four schooners, all 
their artillery except two six-pounders, and all their horses ex- 
cept about TOO, but had preserved and brought in with them all 
their ammunition. There was other and corroborative evidence 
that the voyage had been disastrous. Banks subsequently ex- 
pressed the opinion that he could not have effected a landing if 
as determined resistance had been offered as that encountered 
at Sabine Pass. He met with no opposition at Brazos Santiago. 

On the enemy's advance to Brownsville General Bee evacuated 
that post and fell back to the Confederate line of frontier de- 
fense, carrying with him an immense quantity of government 
stores. 

With Dana's expedition were the regiments of Colonels 
Haynes and E. J. Davis, about 750 men all told. Haynes' 
regiment was known as the "Mustangs." These officers expected 
to fill up their skeleton regiments to their maximum strength 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 529 



with Texan renegades, but in this anticipation were somewhat 
disappointed, as this class as a rule were in extremely destitute 
circumstances, or burdened with the care of families, and did 
not care to enlist in the army. A. J. Hamilton, who had re- 
mained in New Orleans till advised of the Federal occupation 
of Brownsville, repaired promptly to army headquarters on the 
Rio Grande. He had been, on the intercession of Governor Gil- 
more, of iS'ew Hampshire, reappointed by President Lincoln mil- 
itary governor of Texas, and he proposed at once to assume the 
functions of his office. On his demand the Governor of the 
State of Tamaulipas extradited one of the Confederate Texans 
Mdio had abducted from Mexican soil and executed one Captain 
Montgomery, claiming to belong to the United States army; 
but for want of civil tribunals to try the case the prisoner was 
turned over to the military authorities for final disposition. 
Hamilton's bull-headedness soon made trouble with the Mexican 
authorities on the Eio Grande, and the ridiculous farce of a gov- 
ernment possessing no power outside the range of Federal guns 
came to an untimely (or rather timely) end, "unwept, un- 
honored, and unsung." 

Banks' plan of campaign being now to invade Texas from the 
Eio Grande, his ships proceeded rapidly along the coast east- 
ward, driving inland or capturing small Texan garrisons. Point 
Isabel and Corpus Christi were occupied, the works at Aransas 
Pass captured with about 100 prisoners, and Fort Esperanza, 
commanding Pass Cavallo, the entrance to Matagorda Bay, 
taken, the garrison escaping. Gen. C. C. Washburne commanded 
a division of 6000 veterans, operating in the country about Mat- 
agorda Bay. 

On the advance of the Yankees General Magruder moved his 
army westward to meet them. After making a tour of inspec- 
tion of his lines with his staff as far westward as Victoria, he re- 
turned and established his temporary headquarters at Rugely's 
plantation, on the San Bernard. It was here, early in Decem- 
ber, that I found (reneral Magruder and took my place on his 
staff as assistant adjutant-general with the rank of lieutenant- 
colonel. 

The general had already, by proclamation, disclaimed any in- 

34 



530 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



tention of abandoning the western^'^ country, and boasted of his 
strong worlis near San Antonio and Austin, lately constructed by 
impressed slaves, and proposed to dispute every inch of ground 
with the invader. The enemy took Magruder at his word, and 
soon slowed up to a dead halt in his front. In apprehension of 
the worst. Col. Stephen H. Darden was ordered to destroy the 
railroad from Indianola to Victoria, and thus impede the advance 
of the enemy inland. The circumstance that constrained us in 
our operation more than any other was the lack of arms. To se- 
cure 16,000 Enfield rifles just released from seizure (by the 
French government) at Vera Cruz, General Magruder made an 
earnest appeal to the Cotton Bureau through Col. W. J. Hutch- 
ins, saying : "These arms from Vera Cruz, if we get them at all, 
will come in lots of about 1000. They may cost as high as $60 
each ; but cost what they may, we must have them. The State of 
Texas and the whole Trans-Mississippi Department are in the 
greatest peril. 

"Every other interest must yield to this paramount necessity. 
. . . There must be no delay and no obstacle of any nature 
interposed to protract or endanger the accomplishment of this 
purpose. At the present price of cotton and present value of our 
currency, it will require an immense amount of cotton to pay 
for the arms. I presume the price of cotton in specie at Hous- 
ton is about 4 cents per pound ; in our currency, about 40 cents. 
. . . In strict confidence, all that portion of our troops which 
are armed at all are badly armed, and fully one-fourth of tlie 
army are entirely without arms." 

To another agent of the Cotton Bureau, James Sorley, of 
Hoiiston, he wrote, December 21st : "On the subject of arms, 
I must say that the safety of the country demands them at any 
sacrifice, and that no time is to be lost. I have thousands of men 
entirely unarmed. . . So great is the need, that all the cot- 
ton in Texas should speedily be sold (if possible) by the gov- 
ernment for 30,000 stand of arms and their appropriate am- 
munition. We can exist without other things, but can not with- 
out arms." . 

A few small lots of arms were procured at intervals, but notb- 

^^ These works at Austin on the heights south of the river remained 
undisturbed for years, as reminders of the war. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS, 531 



ing like enough to supply our needs, and what we did have were 
of inferior quality. This irremediable condition ultimately 
proved fatal to our cause. The Yankees in our front were well 
supplied with arms and everything else necessary for campaign- 
ing, and outnumbered us more than two to one. 

Under these untoward circumstances demoralization spread 
rapidly in the Confederate ranks, followed by desertions; but 
a prompt cheek was j^ut to desertions by the enforcement of 
measures adopted for that purpose.^" 

General Magruder was very active in inspecting our lines 
and reconnoitering the movements of the enemy. With his staff, 
and sometimes a small escort, he was almost every day in the 
saddle, visiting our outposts to ascertain the strength of our 
positions and the spirit of the troops. In this way, early in 
December, we traversed the Old Caney country, stopping awhile 
at Hawkins' plantation and other hospitable places, and inspect- 
ing the works on the San Bernard. In returning we visited Ve- 
lasco, everywhere finding along the front our gallant boys ready 
and eager for combat. The Yankees were quiet, perhaps await- 
ing reinforcements. Consequently there was little picket fight- 
ing. Notwithstanding this lull, we kept strictly on the qui vive, 
holding ourselves in readiness to move at the word of com- 
mand. ^'^ 

Never, in the pressure of civil business, had I neglected, when 
unavoidably absent, to write to Mrs. Lubbock; nor did I now 
omit to do so amid the exacting duties of the camp. Our mar- 
ried life, extending over nearly thirty years, had been a happy 
one. Eealizing her anxiety, I wrote quite frequently such letters 

*^ "Capture them" [i. e. deserters] ordered Magruder, "and bring 
them with their hands bound to these headquarters. Shoot them down 
to a man should they resist or refuse to surrender, or attempt to make 
their escape after being captured." 

8" " Sioux," the war correspondent of the Galveston Nms, under date 
of December 12, 1863, in the saddle, Matagorda County, thus describes 
the situation: "Everything is in the dark yet as to the plans of the 
enemy. . . . We have seen many of the more distinguished Texans 
now in the field. . . . We have met Lieut. -Col. Frank Lubbock, 
just out of the gubernatorial chair. He is in full uniform and I expect 
to see him do wonders when he meets the enemy, and if he can win as 
many laurels in the field as in the ranks of civil life, as displayed in 
piloting Texas, he will do more than his friends expect of him." — Ed. 



532 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



of cheer and hope as I could under the circumstances of our en- 
forced separation. 

With their increasing numbers, the Yankees a few weeks later 
in January became more active, and from their ships shelled at 
various times our works at the mouths of the Caney, San Ber- 
nard, and Brazos rivers. We managed, however, to hold our 
own at these places, and to drive off their ships, with some dam- 
age, doubtless. Our river fleet, under Commodore Leon Smith, 
proved quite serviceable in this emergency, furnishing transpor- 
tation, making short cruises along the coast, and giving quick 
notice of the movements of the enemy. The Yankees in our 
immediate front and down the coast were estimated at 25,000 
men, while our army, including Tom Green's division, called 
in from Louisiana, and the State militia, did not exceed 10,000 
men. But these Confederate troops were nearly all veterans, 
and second to none in fighting qualities ; especially was this true 
of Green's command, comprising the old Sibley brigade, under 
Col. W. P. Hardeman, and the brigade of Gen. J. P. Major. 
Not daring to attack our lines in force, the Yankees contented 
themselves with occasional shelling of our exposed works and 
petty depredations along the coast. 

Our service on the coast during the latter part of the winter of 
1863-4 was at times very hard owing to the severely cold weather. 
E. P. Turner, A. A. G., in a letter to headquarters respecting a 
bridge at Hinkle's ferry that Captain Howe with his engineer 
troop was engaged in constructing, said in reference to the 
weather : "The health of the troops, considering the intensity 
of the cold, continues good; for example. Colonel De Bray in- 
formed me to-day that not 100 of his brigade were unfit for ser- 
vice on account of sickness. The animals, also, have stood the 
rigor of the weather better than we imagined." 

We lost quite a number of our gallant young soldiers who were 
frozen to death^^ in an attempt to make an attack upon a de- 
tachment of the enemy that had landed upon our coast from 
the blockading squadron. The same night I made a very nar- 

8 8 Fourteen. Their clothing became saturated with water. Not be- 
ing able to secure fuel, or to reach a fire, they were frozen to death and 
their bodies found by a searching party sent in quest of them next 
morning. — Ed. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 533 



row escape on a trip down Galveston beach. 1 was ordered to 
go down the island on a reconnoissance ; the night became very 
cold — for that section extremely cold. I was in my saddle un- 
til near daylight, when I rode up to Colonel Buchel's camp, al- 
most in a lifeless condition. I was lifted from my horse and 
placed in the musicians' tent between the warm blankets of a 
bed just vacated, where I went to sleep. Awaking about noon, 
quite revived, I was supplied with good strong coffee and break- 
fast. I then proceeded to headquarters. Had I not reached 
this refuge as soon as I did I would have lost my life. 

The only time I was under fire during this campaign was on 
an occasion when T had gone to the Confederate earthworks at 
the mouth of the San Bernard under orders from General Ma- 
gruder, to learn the facts as to the reported appearance of Fed- 
eral war vessels off that point. When near there I turned back 
a crowd of stragglers and went with them to the fort. Soon 
after our arrival a heavy fire was opened upon us from the ships, 
the shells bursting in and around the fort. I had just remarked 
to the men that there was no danger, when a shell exploded in 
our midst, knocking over one of them. Our men, however, re- 
plied with spirit, and the enemy, if he meditated a landing, 
thought better of it and finally drew off. 

The Yankees busied themselves in making fortifications down 
the coast, especially on Matagorda peninsula and near Indianola. 
Their next form of activity was in getting out of Texas early 
in 1864, reducing their army here by degrees. The Federal gov- 
ernment had not found the easy sailing expected in Texas, and 
a change of policy was now being effected, as soon became ap- 
parent to us. 

Bafiled in the west as he had been in the east, Banks was 
next to invade Texas by way of Eed River, and his forces on our 
coast soon began to disappear. The Yankees excused their de- 
feat by saying their occupation of our coast was not so much a 
military movement as it was a political measure to save Texas 
from being plucked away from the Confederacy by France. On 
the assurance from ]\Iinister Corwin, in Mexico, that the French 
authorities there disclaimed any intention of interfering in our 
war in behalf of Texas, President Lincoln removed his army 
from the Texan gulf region, leaving only a few garrisons on the 
Rio Grande. 



534 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE. 

Race of Armies for Red River — Field Transportation — Transferred to 
Gen. Tom Green's Staff — Travel with Servant and Pack Mule to the 
Front — On Death of General Green Assigned to Duty on General 
Wharton's Staff — Mansfield — Pleasant Hill — Yankee Retreat^ 
Monett's Ferry — Alexandria — Mansura — Norwood — Horrible Bar- 
barities of the Enemy — End of Campaign — Return Home with Gen- 
eral Wharton — Again at the Front in Louisiana. 

The Yankee plan of invasion being known, there was a race 
for Red River. The Yankees, however, proceeding by water, 
beat us to the new theater of war in Louisiana. 

Unfortunately, about this time a dispute arose between Gov- 
ernor Murrah and General Magruder as to the proper construc- 
tion of the last conscription law of Congress. Hurrah's refusal 
to co-operate with Magruder made the act a dead letter in Texas. 
Gen. E. Kirby Smith sustained Magruder and remonstrated 
with the Governor, but -n vain. Finally Smith appealed to Pres- 
ident Davis for a decision of the matter, sending him all the 
correspondence. 

On the departure of the Yankees, Magruder sent every avail- 
able soldier that could be spared to Louisiana. It was a long, 
tedious march of hundreds of miles through a country mostly 
destitute of supplies. But there was no help for it; and early 
in March our brave fellows, horse, foot, and artillery, set out 
cheerily on the great march to meet the foe. 

In the organization of the staff the previous winter at Camp 
Wharton I was made, in addition to my office as assistant ad- 
jutant-general in the field, inspector of field transportation. It 
was now my pressing duty to arrange the transportation for the 
army to Louisiana. Our forces from the coast, Terrell's regi- 
ment from Tyler, and all other spare troops from Texas, were 
everywhere hurrying eastward to oppose the invader ascending 
Red River valley in the flush of expected triumph. At the 
same time Steele, with 15,000 men and twenty-five pieces of 
artillery, was marching from Little Rock on Shreveport. In his 
pathway stood General Price with a force of less than 10,000 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 535 



mt'ii, though reinforced by Maxey's two brigades from the In- 
dian Territory. 

[ attended, on horseback, the march of the various regiments 
to Louisiana, ascertained the character of transportation, and 
apportioned the wagons according to their respective needs, un- 
der instructions. In this way 1 visited the commands of Buchel^ 
De Bray, Terrell, Pyron, Woods, Green, Likens, Bagby, ^lajors, 
and Hardeman, and mingled more or less with the men in social 
talk. I was much gratified to observe their indomitable will and 
determination to drive the invader from our borders. In a word, 
the morale qf the Texan troops in 1864 was most excellent. 

My staff service while with General Magruder was agreeable 
and instructive. He had about him a bright, active corps of 
young officers, several of them having served with him in Vir- 
ginia in the beginning of the war, where he made a brilliant 
record, as he had done in 1846-7 in the war between Mexico and 
the United States. 

Having provided wpgons and discharged the other duties as- 
signed me in connection with the movement of Texas troops to 
Louisiana, I had no desire to remain in Texas to discharge quasi- 
civil duties. Our army was then in daily conflict with Banks in 
Louisiana, and as I had become a soldier I desired service in 
the field. I therefore applied to General Magruder and re- 
ceived permission to report to Gen. Tom Green, who was an 
oldtime friend of mine, and had said that he would with pleas- 
ure find service for me. I parted with General Magruder with 
mutual regret. He remained in Texas in command of his de- 
partment. I had, wdiile Governor, many opportunities of know- 
ing and observing his ability and his great patriotism, and had 
learned to appreciate his services to Texas. Our relations at 
that time were of the most cordial character, and after I became 
a subaltern and one of his military family, I found in him a 
considerate, as well as active, energetic, and fearless commander. 
About the 10th of April, 1864, I loft his headquarters to Join 
General Green, commanding the cavalry then operating in the 
army of the western district of Louisiana. 

I stopped at Houston to see my wife. After this slight delay 
I started for my destination, riding my well-trained saddle- 
horse "Shiloh," and attended by my servant Eli, mounted on a 



536 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



substantial pony and leading "Gim Crack/' another of my horses, 
to serve me as an extra mount. I carried along with me, on a 
pack mule, such articles as would prove most useful in what I 
anticipated would be a long and arduous campaign, and an 
abundant supply of provisions. The latter piece of foresight 
stood me in good stead. The distance to be traversed in reaching 
headquarters in Louisiana exceeded 300 miles. Heavy rains had 
fallen, the muddy roads were cut up all the way by the passage 
of wagon trains, and part of the region I had to pass through 
was stripped of food and forage by the march and countermarch 
of armies. But my pack mule with supplies rendered me inde- 
pendent, and I camped out as a matter of preference. My serv- 
ant was an excellent cook, and he made everything comfortable 
around the campfire, even to the spreading of my blankets on 
the ground for a bed. 

The country along the roads wore an air of desolation. Old 
men, boys, women, children, and a few cripples were occasionally 
met with, but no able-bodied men. 

Crossing the Sabine at Clapp's ferry, I proceeded to Shreve- 
port, La. The report of the death of General Green (killed at 
Blair's Landing by a cannon shot) met me before I reached that 
place, and was confirmed on my arrival there by General Tay- 
lor, and made me sad indeed. I had long known Green, and 
loved him like a brother. 

General Taylor, in a touching order issued upon the death of 
General Green, said: "Throughout broad Texas, throughout 
desolated Louisiana, mourning saddens every heart." More than 
this, it might be added, the whole Southland mourned the loss 
of this great Texan. 

Ben McCulloeh and Tom Green were gunner-boys for the 
"Twin Sisters" at San Jacinto. The first named fell at Elk- 
horn, in 1862. And now the gallant Green had given up his life 
for Texas. 

Both were incomparable fighters in all the wars of Texas. 
Little cared they for the intricacies of politics; but they loved 
Texas as children love their mothers, and when danger threat- 
ened their swords were always unsheathed for her defense, re- 
gardless of the merits of the controversy, and regardless of the 
character of the foe, whether Indian, Mexican, or Yankee. They 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 537 



represented the highest ideal of Southern patriotism, and were 
in their bearing, character, and lives su2)erb types of the South- 
ern soldier. 

The death of General Green left me without a place, and I 
had to be reassigned. General Taylor and I were old accpuiin- 
tances ; our wives were cousins. He gave me a hearty Avelcome 
to the army, assuring me that every available man was needed, 
as there was fighting to be done every day. 

General Taylor was in command in Louisiana, Gen. E. Kirby 
Smith having gone with two divisions of infantry to reinforce 
Price and force Steele (shut up in Camden) to surrender. 

The principal incidents of the campaign that had transpired 
up to this time were the checking of Banks' onward march, when 
he had reached a point within twenty miles of the Texas line, 
by the battles of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill. 

Near Mansfield, on Sunday, April 8th, General Taylor, with- 
out waiting for orders, surprised the Yankees in their disorderly 
march by a furious attack, which resulted in another Bull Run 
stampede. The battle occurred on the day set apart for fasting 
and prayer by President Davis. 

Banks' bad generalship had exposed his army to destruction, 
and Taylor, taking advantage of it, with 9000 ill-equipped Con- 
federates, beat in detail double his number of the best troops in 
the Yankee army, always managing to overwhelm the enemy 
with superior forces at every contested point. 

The Yankees lost at Mansfield 2500 prisoners, 250 army 
wagons well laden with military supplies, and twenty pieces of 
artillery, and fell back to Pleasant Hill on their way to Red 
River. The next day our army (reinforced by Cliurchiirs divi- 
sion), 13,000 strong and flushed with victory, attacked Banks' 
whole army, and a desperate conflict ensued. Perha])s it would 
have been considered a drawn battle had not the Y'ankees, under 
the cover of night, resumed their disorderly retreat, leaving on 
the field their uncared for wounded and unburied dead. Our 
losses in both battles amounted to about 2500 men, while the 
Y'ankee losses were probably three times that number. 

In a day or two after I reached headquarters, Maj.-Gen. John 
A. Wharton, who had gained reputation as a commander of cav- 
alry in the Army of Tennessee, arrived from east of the IMissis- 
sippi. He was on leave of absence, to recuperate his broken 



538 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



health at his home in Texas. I was just from home, in health, 
and with good camp supplies, while he was broken down and 
poorly provided with camp necessaries. I divided my blankets 
with him, and was with him during the next month's active cam- 
paign. 

General Wharton had been selected by General Taylor at 
Shreveport to succeed Green in the command of the cavalry, 
though his formal appointment was not made till a few days 




GEN. JOHN A. WHAKTON, C S A. 

later. He immediately offered me a position on his staff as 
assistant adjutant-general, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, 
which I gladly accepted.*''' 

General Taylor and staff, and Wharton and myself, attended 
by a small escort, set out from Shreveport on the 19th for the 
army, near Grand Ecore. Our route lay for the most part 
along a dismal sandy road, through a country thoroughly rav- 



*' Next to Tom Green, Wharton was thought to be the ablest cavalry 
commander in the Trans-Mississippi Department. — Ed. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 539 



aged by Banks' demoralized retreating army. When in camp 
near the Pleasant Hill battleground, Wharton received his for- 
mal appointment as commander of all the cavalry in Louisiana, 
and we went on our way rejoicing. Three days' continuous ride 
brought us all to General Polignac's camp, in the vicinity of 
the enemy. Banks made a demonstration on our lines the even- 
ing of our arrival, but it turned out to be only a feint to hide 
his retreat. That night he withdrew all his force, about 15,000 
men, to the west side of Red River, at Grand Ecore, and burned 
a vast quantity of military stores there before continuing his 
flight at dawn. The army in Louisiana had been so depleted by 
General Smith for the Arkansas campaign that it did not now 
exceed 5000 men.^" Still, something could be done to harass 
and damage the enemy, and no time was to be lost. 

Steele's Texas brigade of cavalry was then at Polignac's head- 
quarters, and General Wharton put himself at its head, and we 
set out in hot pursuit of the fleeing enemy. We struck the Fed- 
eral rear guard heavily at ISTatchitoches, and drove the enemy 
continuously till night, inflicting severe losses and taking 
jnany prisoners. I had received my baptism of fire under Ma- 
gruder, but this all-day fight of April 28, 1864, was my first 
battle. The exciting evolutions on the field, the artillery firing, 
alternating with volleys of musketry, and the ebb and flow of 
the hostile lines, — for it was "Greek meeting Greek," — all made 
an ineffaceable impression on my memory. Resuming the at- 
tack early the next day on the enemy's rear, we drove him to 
Cloutierville, where he made a stand ; but after a severe fight, fell 
back several miles beyond his works. Before light on the 24th 
our artillery opened fire on the enemy's camp. Springing to 
arms, the Yankees fought till 2 p. m., when, retiring, they crossed 
Cane River at Monett's ferry, and escaped to Alexandria. ''^ Po- 
lignac's division got up in time to engage the enemy's rear at 
Monett's. 

'^ Considering the disparity of numbers and the results achieved, this 
campaign is one of the most remarkable in military history. — Ed. 

* 1 General Taylor officially says: "The force used against us was very 
great and of all arms, and it is difficult to estimate the importance of 
the service rendered by Wharton, Steele, and Parson.s. The gallantry 
and pluck they exhibited in fighting such odds for three days is beyond 
praise." 



540 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



General Bee had been holding Monett's ferry with four bri- 
gades of cavalry (Bagby, De Bray, Terrell, and Majors, senior 
colonels commanding) and four batteries ; but after a desperate 
struggle with Banks' main army for a day or more, was com- 
pelled to give way. This was a vital point, and its surrender 
irritated General Taylor very much at the time. Bee was after- 
wards vindicated, and General Taylor, when informed of all the 
circumstances, made the proper acknowledgments. Monett's 
ferry cost the Yankees 400 or 500 men and a large number of 
wagons with supplies ; but its capture made their escape j)ossi- 
ble. The demoralized enemy in their retreat left no houses or 
fences, stock or supplies, behind them. Everything of any possi- 
ble value was taken or destroyed.^^ Our prompt advance was 
all that saved Natchitoches and Cloutierville from destruction, 
both towns having been fired in several 2:)laces before we entered 
them. Hoping for the best, our brave little army pressed on after 
the vandals. Wharton, together with Bee and Steele, on the 
26th attacked the enemy in the valley near McXutt's Hill, and 
drove him with considerable loss to the vicinity of Alexandria. 
The next day Colonels Likens and Harrison attacked four gun- 
boats and two transports on the river. One gunboat, the East- 
port, struck on a bar and was blown up to avoid capture. Fur- 
ther down the stream another gunboat was disabled at the 
mouth of Caney, and a lucky shot from our battery burst the 
boiler of one of the transports. Besides this, the main dam- 
age to the enemy that day was the killing or wounding of nearly 
300 men, principally negroes stolen from the plantations above, 
and some valuable army stores captured. Our loss was one 
killed and one wounded. The other transport, with all on board, 
was captured without loss the next day. The two remaining 
gunboats ran past our battery of four guns at the mouth of 
Caney, but with considerable damage, one boat suffering a loss 
of fifteen killed and wounded. 

It was a continuous fight with the enemy on both banks of the 
river, and a fight in the river for their boats. 

About the last of April Banks, with 80,000 men, was cooped 

*^ Smith's corps acted worse than Banks' generally in Louisiana. 
They had learned from General Sherman, their commander, that "war 
is hell," and were habituated to burning and plunder. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 541 



up in Alexandria, and Admiral Porter was also there with his 
magnificent fleet of fifty vessels unable to get over the falls be- 
low the town. 

Our little army of less than 50U0 men on the outside kept the 
beaten enemy well in hand, and always in dread of surprise. 
The campaign was growing more exciting. There was a pros- 
pect of reinforcements at least to the extent of Watkins' di- 
vision of 2500 infantry, and Porter's gunboat fleet appeared, 
in that event, almost a sure prize. 

General Taylor, dividing his small force, sent out detach- 
ments in various directions to harass the enemy in every possible 
way. Wharton put Steele above and west of Alexandria, Bagby 
on the Bceuf road, and Majors and his brigade at Davidge's 
ferry on Eed River, twenty-five miles below. With these new 
dispositions, fighting was at once renewed at every available 
point — the Louisiana general Liddell, at Pineville, on the north 
bank of Red River ; Bagby on the Bayou Robert road, and Steele 
on the Rapides road, — all engaging the enemy in the most de- 
termined manner. 

General Majors had the most brilliant success on the river 
below, capturing and sinking on the 1st of May the transport 
Emma; he captured a few days later the transport City Belle 
with the One Hundred and Twentieth Ohio regiment on board. 
On the -ith the gunboats Covington and Signal, eight guns each, 
convoying the transport Warner, tried to pass Majors' battery 
under Captain West. The Signal, after being disabled, sur- 
rendered with the transport Warner, but the crew blew up the 
Covington to avoid capture. Our four guns in the battery were 
run up by hand close to the river bank, and won the victory by 
close, rapid, and well directed firing. 

Banks' army was now effectually cut off from communication 
with the Mississippi. Every boat trying to ascend Red River 
had been foiled by our battery at Davidge's ferry, and things 
looked blue for the enemy. Meanwhile, the Federals at Alexan- 
dria were working to devise a scheme for passing their fleet over 
the falls ; and with their characteristic energy and pluck finally 
succeeded by means of a dam with sand bags, compressing the 
river into narrow limits and deepening the channel thereby. The 
fleet, or the best part of it, for some ships were destroyed, passed 



542 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



over the falls on the 13th of May ; Banks' army, after burning 
Alexandria, the next day resumed their retreat down the river. 
Our little force disputed every inch of ground with the enemy, 
but his immense superiority in numbers and resources made suc- 
cessful resistance impossible. The Federals had still left a train 
of more than 300 wagons, but they were kept closed up and well 
guarded with cavalry. The Confederates were pushed back stead- 
ily by weight of numbers as far as Mansura. A rapid concentra- 
tion at this place enabled us to give battle with some chance of 
success against the over-confident enemy, marching with some 
disorder. 

The town of Mansura was in the center of our position. Gen- 
erals Major and Bagby, with nineteen pieces of artillery, were on 
our right, and Polignac, reinforced by De Bray's Texas regi- 
ments, held our left with thirteen pieces of artillery. At dawn 
the enemy's infantry began skirmishing with our cavalry. By 
sunrise the Federals, about 16,000 strong — cavalry, infantry, and 
artillery — appeared, advancing cautiously on the great Avoyelles 
prairie. Our force did not exceed a third of this. But the dense 
masses of blue coats presented a fine mark for our batteries, and, 
by permission of the chief of artillery, I touched ofi^ the first gun 
on their lines. Halting, the Federals placed their artillery in 
position and opened upon us a furious fire. Pending this storm 
of shot and shell, I galloped with orders to various parts of our 
line, one for Colonel Hardeman ("Old Gotch") to reinforce our 
hard-pressed left by a detachment of his command. He did not 
like to separate his command, but he promptly obeyed orders, 
after a few not overpolite expletives to give vent to his feelings. 

Colonel Hardeman held his position, in line on the right, witli 
part of Majors' brigade, the First Louisiana State Guard, and 
Colonel Gould's regiment. 

Colonel Gould raised the question of rank with Colonel Har- 
deman, saying, "I don't know that you rank me. Colonel Harde- 
man." To whioli "Old Gotch" grimly replied: "I don't know, 

myself, and I don't care a d . All T want to know is, whether 

you will obey my orders." Under the pressure of circumstances, 
Colonel Gould good humoredly yielded the point. The hot work 
before them so wholly engrossed their attention that the little 
dispute was soon forgotten, and each did his duty gallantly. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 543 



The battle raged with fury a good part of the day, with vary- 
ing fortunes. We were gradually pressed back by weight of 
numbers, and the enemy paid dearly for his laurels, if he gained 
any. 

The second day afterward (May 18th) we had another sharp 
encounter with the retreating enemy at Norwood, inflicting 
heavy damages. 

General Taylor, on the 19th, by complimentary order, ex- 
pressed his high appreciation of the gallantry and conduct of 
Wharton's corps of cavalry and Polignac's division of infantry 
in the actions of the 16th and 18th. "At Mansura," says the 
order, "the enemy's whole army was kept back for five hours, his 
charges repvilsed with heavy loss, and at the proper time our 
little force was withdrawn from his front, to be thrown upon his 
flanks and rear. . . . The skillful dispositions made by 
Major-General Wharton, commanding on the field in both these 
engagements, stamp him as a soldier of high capacity and equal 
to any position." 

I was not at Norwood's plantation, the last of this series of 
battles. I was at the headquarters tent attending to a large 
amount of office business that had accumulated and that I had 
been ordered by the general to dispose of, when the action oc- 
curred. 

Towards night the ambulances commenced coming in with the 
wounded. I expressed my surprise, as no fighting was expected. 
When General Wharton returned, I told him that I felt hurt 
that he should have assigned me to office work that day. He re- 
plied that the battle was brought on unexpectedly ; that when he 
started out in the morning he had no idea that he would engage 
the enemy. 

It was a fierce battle. We lost many good and true officers and 
men. We held the battleground, the enemy crossing the Atchafa- 
laya beyond our reach, and leaving their dead and wounded on 
the field. 

The campaign closed here, the point at which it began two 
months before. 

Major-General Wharton, on the 24th of May, 1864, addressed 
a general order to his corps, in which he said : 

"For forty-six days you have daily engaged the enemy, always 



544 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



superior to you in numbers. When the beaten foe, four army 
corps of infantry and 5000 cavalry, began his retreat, you were 
found in battle array in his front and hung upon his flanks and 
rear, only to destroy. In his retreat from Grand Ecore to 
Atchafalaya, you killed, wounded and captured -iOOO men and 
destroyed five transports and three gunboats. All this was ac- 
complished with a loss to you of only 400 men, two-thirds of 
whom will report for duty again in forty days. The history of 
no other campaign will present the spectacle of a cavalry force 
capturing and killing more of the enemy than their own num- 
ber. This you have done, and in so doing have immortalized 
yourselves and added new luster to the name and fame of Texas, 
the gallantry of whose sons has been illustrated on every battle- 
field, from Gettysburg to Glorieta. Had a portion of our forces 
been where I was informed they were an hour and a half before 
the engagement at Norwood plantation, the rear guard of the 
enemy would have been entirely destroyed. . 

"Your advance guard are now watering their horses in the 
Mississippi River, whither you will soon follow. On short ra- 
tions and with scanty forage, and in the saddle day and night, 
you have neither murmured nor complained. . . . 

"I, as your commander, honor you for your deeds, and thus 
acknowledge my appreciation of your services. General Taylor 
cheerfully accords to you the meed of his approbation, and in 
his time and way will signify his admiration. 

"A. grateful people will cherish the record of your gallantry." 

As indicated by Wharton, General Taylor issued a general 
order to his troops (Army of Western Louisiana), in which he 
made proper acknowledgment of the services and merits of offi- 
cers and men. General Taylor said : 

"On the 12th of March the enemy with an army of 30,000 
men, accompanied by a fleet of ironclads mounting 150 guns, 
moved forward for the conquest of Texas and Louisiana. After 
seventy days continiious fighting you stand, a band of conquer- 
ing heroes, on the banks of the Mississippi. Fifty pieces of can- 
non, 7000 stand of small arms, three gunboats, and eight trans- 
ports captured or destroyed, sixty stands of colors, over 10,000 
of the enemy killed, wounded, or captured, — these are the tro- 
phies which adorn your victorious banners. Along 300 miles of 
river you have fought his fleet, and over 200 miles of road you 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 545 



have driven his army. You matched your bare breasts against 
his ironclads, and proved victorious in the contest. You have 
driven his routed columns beyond the Mississippi, although fed 
by reinforcements of fresh troops, while many of your gallant 
comrades were withdrawn to other fields. The boasted fleet which 
lately sailed triumphant over our waters has fled in dismay, after 
destroying guns and stripping off armor in its eagerness to escape 
you. Like recreant knights, the ironclads have fled the field, 
leaving shield and sword behind. 

"The devotion and constancy you have displayed in this pur- 
suit have never been surpassed in the annals of war, and you 
have removed from the Confederate soldier the reproach that he 
could win battles but could not improve victories. 

"Along a hundred miles of his path the flying foe, with more 
than savage barbarity, burned every house and village within 
his reach. You extinguished the burning ruins in his base blood, 
and were nerved afresh to vengeance by the cries of women and 
children left without shelter or food. 

"If the stern valor of our well-trained infantry was illustrated 
on the bloody fields of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill, this long 
pursuit has covered the cavalry of this army with undying re- 
nown. 

"Whether charging on foot shoulder to shoulder with our 
noble infantry, or hurling your squadrons on the masses of the 
foe, or hanging on his flying columns with more than the ten- 
acity of the Cossack, you have been admirable in all. 

"Our artillery has been the admiration of the army. Boldly 
advancing without cover against the heavy metal of the hostile 
fleet, unlimbering often without support within range of mus- 
ketry, or remaining last on the field to pour grape and canister 
into advancing columns, our batteries have been distinguished 
in exact proportion as opportunity was afforded. 

"Soldiers, these are great and noble deeds, and they will live 
in chronicle and in song as long as the Southern race exists to 
honor the earth. But much remains 3^et to do. The fairest city 
of the South languishes in the invader's grasp. 

"Soldiers, this army marches toward New Orleans, and though 
it do not reach the goal, the hearts of her patriotic women shall 
bound high with joy, responsive to the echoes of your guns." 

35 



546 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



My duties in Louisiana were arduous, but as agreeable as such 
duties could be imagined amid such surroundings. My health 
was fine— 1 was fond of the saddle, had good horses, and seldom 
tired while riding. Then, I had known my chief from his boy- 
hood. In 1836, as I was returning to New Orleans from my 
first trip to Texas, I saw him, a red-haired, freckled-faced boy 
of about ten years. He was with his father, William H. Whar- 
ton, minister to the United States, then on his way to Washing- 
ton City. Later we became political and personal friends, a con- 
nection that remained undisturbed through our period of soldier- 
ing together, and until his death. He was always kind and 
considerate to me, reposing entire confidence in my judgment 
and devotion to the cause in which we were engaged. With few 
exceptions, I accompanied him in the field, and greatly enjoyed 
the association, for he was so intelligent, so active, so brave, so 
devoted to his work. A Texan by birth, he was educated in my 
native State at the South Carolina University and married Miss 
Penelope Johnson, the daughter of a South Carolina Governor. 

The Banks campaign ended, General Wharton received per- 
mission to take the needed rest he had applied for. Leaving 
Louisiana for Texas, he took several of his staff with him, my- 
self among the number. The journey was a very pleasant one. 
General Wharton was in a buoyant humor, full of fun and senti- 
ment, and often relieved the tedium of the way by reciting 
snatches of verse, and in some instances entire poems. His lit- 
erary taste was excellent, his mind well stored with masterpieces 
of British and American poets that had strongly impressed him, 
and his talents as a speaker were of a high order. Consequently 
these recitations, in each instance apropos, were much enjoyed 
by his auditors. A favorite of his was "Bingcn on the Ehine," 
and he recited it in a manner that so fully brought out its beau- 
ties and suggestive meanings, that we, his soldier companions, 
induced him to favor us with it more than once before reaching 
our destination, the residence of Col. Leonard Groce, near Hemp- 
stead. His mother and many old friends and neighbors, from 
whom he had been absent for three years, were assembled there 
and welcomed him with every demonstration of affection. Dur- 
ing his absence from home he had been promoted all along the 
line, from captain to major-general. We were also kindly and 
cordially received. There was quite a dinner party, and I re- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 547 



member an incident that occurred while we were at the table, 
illustrative of his gay and joyous temperament. Golonel Groce 
was absent from home. General Wharton's mother was at one 
end of the table and he at the other, carving a very fine and large 
turkey. One of the guests made complimentary mention of 
Colonel Groce, speaking of his great generosity and hospitality 
to the soldiers, — all of which I knew to be well deserved. 

Mrs. Wharton, at the mention of Colonel Groce's name, became 
very much enthused, delivering a panegyric on him. During 
her enthusiasm the general dropped his knife and fork and lis- 
tened to his mother very closely, and apparently with great in- 
terest. When she was through, as if desiring information, he 
asked her very earnestly, "Mammy, is Colonel Groce any kin to 
you?" 

"Why, of course he is. What do you mean by asking me such 
a question? You know he is my brother." 

"Well," replied the general with a twinkle in his eyes, "I 
thought he must be some kin to you." 

It caused much merriment, for there were present quite a 
number of strangers who were not aware of the relationship. 

I left the general with his friends, and made speed to my 
own home at Houston, to have a good time also with mine. I 
was, however, disappointed in my expectations. I had scarce ar- 
rived before General Wharton was ordered to return with all dis- 
patch to the army in Louisiana. After hasty preparations, I bade 
farewell to wife and home, taking with me my elegant "Shiloh," 
Eli, and the j^ack mule, and rejoined General Wharton. 

A few days more found us again with his cavalry command. 
Nothing of note occurred. The army was being reorganized — 
awaiting the movements of the enemy. No hostile troops were 
in Western Louisiana, and Texas was free from the presence of 
Federal soldiers, thanks to a good Providence and, under Him, 
to the Texans who crossed the border to meet the invaders. 



548 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



CHAPTER THIRTY. 

President Davis Appoints Me Aide on His Staff — Affectionate Farewell 
to My Comrades and Departure for Richmond — Crossing the Missis- 
sippi at Night — Arrival at the Confederate Capital — Condition of 
Affairs There — I Attend the President on His Visit to Hood's Army — 
Associates at Richmond — Hard Times — The Conference at Fort- 
ress Monroe — Terms, Unconditional Surrender — The Confederate 
Government Defiant — Admiral Semmes — The Ominous Pause. 

On the 12th of August, 186-i, I received the following letter. 
In consequence of the great difficulty of communicating across 
the Mississippi, it had been on the way nearly two months : 

Immediately upon its receipt, I consulted with General Whar- 
ton, Gen. James Harrison, General Hardeman, and other friends, 
all of whom advised me to accept the appointment. 

My preparations were hurriedly made, and in two days I was 
on my way to Richmond, bearing with me a letter that General 
Wharton gave me at parting. Though I was not thrown among 
his intimate acquaintances, I cherished it as a memento of a 
friend I never saw again and a reminder in darker days of a 
campaign of triumph. 

The general said in this letter, the last communication I re- 
ceived from him : 

"I regret exceedingly to lose your services on my staff. My 
regret at parting v/ith you, however, is mitigated by the fact 
that in your new capacity, as aide-de-camp to the President, you 
will be more able to serve your country. 

"Your familiarity with the wants of the Trans-Mississippi 
Department will enable you to be of great service to the people 
and army west of the Mississippi River. 

"Your zeal in the service of our country during your guber- 
natorial term is an evidence that the same ability and energy 
will be displayed in your new sphere. 

"My friends east of the Mississippi River will receive you 
most kindly, as a recognition of your own merits and as a token 
of regard to myself." 

While this old worn letter lies before me, memory makes a 
quick reference to the writer, — to his intelligence in counsel, his 
dashing execution on the field of action, his bright., cultured 



/^^. 




(::,^^^.^^r^. y^ 



LUBBOCK'S MEM01K>>. 549 



conversation with his friends, and again I seem to hear his voice 
and see his commanding form; the veil of the past rolls away, 
I seem to be standing, in the prime of manhood, surrounded by 
men of that generation, all dressed in Confederate gray, with 
arms at our sides; but after a time I fold it and replace it in 
the receptacle that has guarded it so long, and the vision van- 
ishes and the present returns, — a present between which and 
the headlands of that other era rolls a broad stretch of Time's 
mighty ocean, made up of the tossing waves of many departed 
years. 

Major Hart, the inspector-general, who had charge of the 
courier line communication with the east side of the Mississippi, 
was ordered by General Hardeman to accompany me. A detail 
was made of three men for the purpose of assisting me across 
the river, — J. A. Handley, Pink Hunter, and Brinkley Tyler, 
belonging to Hardeman's regiment, Tom Green's brigade. These 
were to go ahead to see that the way was open before attempting 
to cross my little cavalcade, now composed of my valuable horse 
"Shiloh," Eli and pony, and my pack mule. 

Arriving at the river, we procured a dugout secreted in the 
bushes for the use of our couriers. The bank was so precipitous 
that our horses were led to the bottom below with great difficulty. 
The dugout had to be let down by means of a rope, and much 
care had to be used in launching to keep her from filling. As it 
was, she dipped very much, taking in a quantity of water. Her 
capacity was sufficient for only three, — the man at the paddle, 
the boy, and myself. 

No one without experience can appreciate the difficulty of 
crossing such a stream in a dugout with only one man using the 
paddle, and impeded by three animals, two on one side of the 
boat and one on the other. Almost lying down, I held the bridle 
of "Shiloh," while my boy, crouching on the other side, held his 
pony and the pack mule. When about midway the stream, the 
mule became tired and unmanageable, and we determined that 
safety required us to let him drown. Our boat being more evenly 
balanced, with great care and exertion we saved our two horses 
and reached the east side of the great father of waters. 

We had a perilous trip across, expecting drowning or capture 
by the Federals at any moment of our passage. 

Our dugout was rocked by the waves caused by the movement 



550 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



of their gunboats ; but the darkness of night and the caution with 
which we proceeded saved us from their observation. Our con- 
sultation on the way was carried on in whispers. We landed 
wet and mudd}^, tired and hungry, but I was well pleased at be- 
ing free and able to proceed on my way. 

Here I found a good Confederate who made me welcome and 
as comfortable as possible until I could hasten onward. At 
Woodville I was entertained in a manner that I remember with 
pleasure. 

After deliberating, I concluded to travel by rail in order to 
reach Richmond more promptly. I disposed of the boy's horse by 
leaving him with Mr. Kennard to be sold. To him I was under 
many obligations for attending to this so kindly, sending me 
the money, and entertaining me hospitably while I was with 
him. At Montgomery I was unable to procure immediate trans- 
portation for him, and my gallant steed, my beautiful "Shiloh," 
my faithful field companion that no money could have pur- 
chased, was turned over to a quartermaster, who promised to 
send him to Richmond in a few days. It's wonderful how a man 
comes to love the horse that has borne him often through dan- 
ger. I almost regarded mine as an intelligent fellow-soldier. 
My great anxiety to report for duty is the only excuse I can of- 
fer for leaving my faithful animal. He never reached me, the 
quartermaster merely informing me that my horse had taken 
sick and died. I learned subsequently that he was loaned to an 
officer who gave him a very hard ride, resulting in his death. 

Another calamity that befell me was the loss of a pair of spurs 
that I prized very highly, stolen by some miserable wretch. I 
gave them to my brother Tom S. Lubbock at the beginning of 
the war. He used them until his death, and I then recovered 
them. I did fret much at their loss, on account of the associa- 
tion. 

I was refused transportation for my servant, and had to pay 
full fare for him to Richmond. Thus my trip was not only a 
hazardous and hard one, but very expensive. 

It was with difficulty I could get anything to eat on the route. 
The trains were crowded to suffocation. 

I spent a day in Mobile, and was most kindly treated by my 
old friends, Ketchum and Pillans. I was delayed a. day at Co- 
lumbus, Ga., also one at Macon. I then went to Atlanta to see 










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LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 551 



General Hood and our Texas soldiers. I was detained there, 
leaving the day of its evacuation by our troops. 

At Atlanta, September 1st, somewhat sick and worn out, I 
was resting at the hotel, when the ubiquitous Tom Ochiltree en- 
tered my room and informed me that we had better leave the 
city at once, as General Hood had determined to abandon the 
place. 

As usual, he was in good luck, had an ambulance, and was 
kind enough to offer me a seat, which was thankfully accepted. 
We camped that night with my very good friend Major Little- 
field, quartermaster of Hood's brigade, near enough to the city 
for the noise made by the blowing up of abandoned stores, conse- 
quent upon the evacuation, to reach our ears, and for the fires 
to light up our camp. 

When I started on the train I came near being captured at a 
small station, Eough and Eeady. The engine getting out of fuel, 
we had to pick it up by the roadside as best we could and run 
the gauntlet through the enemy's pickets. I spent one day in 
Columbia, S. C, a most beautiful city. I met Governor Bon- 
ham, whom I had known before, and General Chesnut. They 
were both very kind and courteous. 

I reached Richmond September 8, 1864, in good health with 
the exception of a bad cold, twenty-three days after leaving Gen- 
eral Wharton's command in Louisiana, the length of time show- 
ing how much of the journey I had to make on horseback (one 
week of the time riding through the rain), and the broken up 
condition of the roads in Georgia. 

I very gladly accepted an invitation to stop at the home of 
Judge Reagan,**^ and in due time called upon Mr. Davis. I was 
very kindly received by him and his staff, and found the duties 
assigned me sufficiently agreeable, although I would have pre- 
ferred active service in the field. 

As soon as opportunity permitted I visited our old Texas 
brigade (Hood's), and. as nothing less would content them, 
made them a speech. They were a hardy looking set of men, the 
picture of good health — all heroes, God bless them ! Their 
name and fame were in the mouths of all I met. It was a source 
of proud gratification to me to find that all the Texas troops on 

*" Judge Reagan had lost his wife a short time before, and was still 
keeping house, having his children with him. — Ed. 



552 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



that side of the river stood high, not only as good fighters but as 
honorable and well behaved men. 

One of my first acts on my arrival at Eichmond was to write 
to my beloved wife, giving her the details of my trip, my re- 
ception by the President, and such other news as I thought would 
be of interest to her. In this connection I said: "I saw our old 
Governor Smith ('Extra Billy') this morning. He made me 
promise to come and take a cup of coffee with him this evening. 
The old gentleman looks very well. He was wounded before he 
was elected governor. You recollect we saw him at the Virginia 
Springs in I860. 

"My dear wife, I do hope and pray that you are well and all 
at home ; kiss them for me. Keep your spirits up. Everything 
will get right after awhile. Tell Mrs. Eeiley she must have you 
to ride and visit, and make you happy. 

"In writing, send letters to care of Gen. E. Kirby Smith, 
Shreveport, — sometimes to care of General Wharton, sometimes 
to care General Buckner, commanding the District of West 
Louisiana. Mr. Gushing can tell you how to send letters, or per- 
haps Captain Clute." 

In a later letter I wrote to her: 

"Eichmond is full to overflowing. It is estimated that there 
are one hundred thousand people in the city. It is a mystery 
how a large number of them subsist. 

"Confederate money is worth more here than in Texas, for 
gold is twenty-three for one. The prices of everything in the way 
of provisions is enormous — flour $325 per barrel, butter $10 per 
pound, corn $50 to $60 per bushel, beef $3 to $4 per pound, po- 
tatoes $50 to $60 per bushel, sorghum syrup $25 to $30 per gal- 
lon, etc. ; board at the hotels $30 per day." 

My association with the staff was of the most pleasant char- 
acter; it was also instructive, for they were all men of intelli- 
gence and culture and well up in military affairs. 

When I entered upon my staff service I found for associates 
Col. G. W. C. Lee, a graduate of West Point (the son of Gen. 
Eobert E. Lee), later promoted to brigadier-general, and after 
the war president of the Washington-Lee University; Col. Wil- 
liam Preston Johnston (son of Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston), 
after the war a professor in Washington-Lee University, and 
for many years president of Tulane University, Louis- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 553 



iana; Colonel Ives, a graduate of West Point and an accom- 
plished officer (now dead) ; Col. John Taylor Wood (grandson 
of President Zachary Taylor), a graduate of the United States 
Naval Academy and accomplished in his profession (now resid- 
ing in Halifax, N". S.) ; and Col. William Browne, of Georgia, 
afterward promoted to brigadier-general, quite distinguished as 
a journalist and as a man of letters (now dead). 

After being on duty awhile, Mr. Davis said (so a friend wrote 
to me) that no man, on so short an association, had ever made 
so favorable an impression upon him. Side by side with the 
endorsement of my own people, I appreciated this from such a 
man, and I am proud to know that his friendship grew stronger 
day by day. 

I had scarce time to locate myself and view my surroundings 
before the President left Eichmond on a visit to the army in 
Georgia and Alabama, taking Col. Custis Lee and myself with 
him. In a letter to my wife, September 27, 1864, written from 
General Hood's headquarters at Palmetto, near Atlanta, Ga., I 
said : 

"We arrived here day before yesterday. I am quite well. 

"I am now visiting Ector's Texas brigade, and will make them 
a speech in a few moments. I have just learned that a Captain 
Zeigler is about starting for Texas, and I have begged this 
paper to write, not knowing when I will have another opportun- 
ity. Everything is at a standstill here. It may be a lull before 
the storm. We reviewed the army yesterday. The men are in 
very good health and spirits. I think we will leave this after- 
noon for Alabama." 

The trip to Alabama was full of interest to me. While in 
Montgomery the President and his aides were the guests of 
Governor Watts, formerly the Attorney-General of the Confed- 
erate States. 

During our stay there Gen. Dick Taylor, who had come to 
meet the President, discussed with him the propriety of bring- 
ing western troops over to the east side of the Mississippi. Mr. 
Davis was very anxious to recruit our depleted ranks. Though 
we were hopeful that the tide would soon turn in our favor, we 
needed more men in both of our main armies. General Lee was 
very much in need of more troops. In Georgia the President 
tried to induce the State authorities to co-operate more heartily 



554 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



with the Confederate government in filling up the army for the 
defense of their own State, by making fewer exemptions from 
the service and promptly enforcing the conscription act. 

General Taylor talked over the possibility of getting troops 
from the Trans-Mississippi Department, and when the latter 
suggested that it might be possible and that, if I were sent over, 
I could bring a large body of men to the east side, Mr. Davis 
desired me to express my opinion and wishes. In an instant the 
situation was before me : Texas had filled cheerfully every 
requisition made on her by the Confederate government for the 
armies east, and her sons had turned out, from boyhood to old 
age, to defend her territory. Her available troops had just been 
doing hard fighting across her borders side by side with those of 
her neighboring States. The crossing of the Mississippi by a 
body of our troops would be a stupendous undertaking, blockaded 
as it was by the enemy. Then the length of time it would take, 
supposing it could be effected, would prevent such reinforce- 
ments from arriving in time to serve the purpose for which they 
were intended. I felt in my heart "anything for success," but here 
I did not see success, and at once I said to him : "When I crossed 
the Mississippi I declared I would not return until the end of 
the war. I am subject to your orders, and only under them will 
I go west of the river before that time." He merely replied, 
"You will not be ordered." 

We were absent from Richmond sixteen days, the brightest and 
most pleasant that I spent with Mr. Davis. It was all activity 
nnd hopeful effort for the future, and entertainment by friends, 
for Mr. Davis was well received wherever we went. I was a 
subaltern. To Mr. Davis, the head and front of affairs, they 
must have been trying days, these days of conference with Gen- 
erals Hood, Hardee, Taylor, and others near Atlanta and. on 
our return, at Augusta with General Beauregard and General 
Cobb, in command of the Georgia troops. 

The trip over, we returned to Richmond to do what men could 
to meet the various requirements of the times. 

Upon our return to Richmond the first news of a personal 
nature was bad news. Eli was gone. Colonel Lee had taken his 
servant with our party, and I had left mine at my quarters with 
Judge Reagan. 

One dav during our absence the alarm of an attack on the 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 555 



lines near the city was given. The judge made all preparations 
before leaving the house for a hurried retreat, if necessary. He 
had several hundred dollars in gold, which he placed in his sad- 
dle-bags, leaving them in his room. He returned during the 
night, the alarm having passed. On investigation, he found his 
gold all gone. Eli having observed him while packing up, the 
judge concluded he had abstracted the gold, repaired to the boy's 
room, found him in a quiet sleep, awoke him, and demanded his 
money. He at once owned up that he had taken it, declaring it 
was the only time he had ever stolen a dollar, and promised that, 
if the judge would not tell me on my return, he would tell him 
all about it. The judge made the promise. He disclosed the 
fact that nearly all the money had been expended for jewelry for 
his girl, and, getting the jewelry, accompanied the judge to the 
various shops where he had made the purchases, and the judge 
had his money returned. Eli remained at work until the very 
day of my return, but then disappeared, and was seen no more 
by the judge or myself. We presumed that he became fearful 
that I would hear of his bad conduct, and ran away. He was 
about 20 years old, and he had always been a very good boy. He 
was with me from the day I joined the army. I brought him to 
Richmond at great expense, he entreating me to take him with 
me. I would not advertise him, but gave the sentinels notice on 
our lines. About this time many negroes were escaping to the 
Yankee lines, there being a large number of negro troops with 
the enemy. My opinion is that he was either killed in going out 
of our lines or after he joined the enemy, for I feel satisfied he 
would have returned to me or to Texas, for he was devoted to 
me, and he has never been seen or heard of since. Poor boy, 
many a wiser head than thine has been turned by woman, and 
many a subtler spirit tempted from the path of rectitude by 
gold. 

So I was not only unhorsed, but servantless. 

A few days later I bought a horse, not a very good one, either, 
giving four or five thousand dollars for it. 

The President, observing that I was a good Texas horseman, 
gave me an invitation to ride with him almost daily. Taking me 
with him, sometimes alone, but generally with one or another of 
the staff, he frequently visited the lines of the army around 
Richmond. This was always interesting to me. I preferred it to 



556 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



office work. All of us had a large amount of clerical work to 
perform daily, — lettter writing and drafting of telegrams and 
other papers. 

In my capacity as an aide to the President, I met very nearly 
all the prominent army men, and renewed in that way many 
pleasant friendships I had formed before the war. It was my 
good fortune to know Generals Lee, A. S. Johnston, J. E. John- 
ston, Beauregard, Hardee, Hood, Bragg, Cooper, Holmes, 
Hampton, Breckenridge, Fitzhugh Lee, Winder, Lawton, Cobb, 
Garey, Toombs, Barksdale, Forrest, Maury, Stephen D. Lee, Joe 
Wheeler, Ijoring, Cheatham, Marmaduke, Price, Van Dorn, Dib- 
rell. Fields, and hosts of others besides our Texas generals. I 
met also many private soldiers, old friends and true patriots, who 
formed the lines, and whom I was glad to greet. 

I wrote in one of my letters home : "I rode out yesterday 
afternoon to see General Longstreet. I found his health good, 
but his arm very weak from a wound received in the battle of the 
Wilderness. He spoke in very high terms of Frank Terry and 
Tom Lubbock, and said he always regretted that they did not 
return to him; that they were fully appreciated by himself and 
all who knew them in Virginia." 

I did all in my power to contribute to the comfort of the sick 
and wounded, — making daily visits to the hospitals for that pur- 
pose. I also aided in securing supplies and clothing for all who 
called on me for aid. Soldiers belonging to the Trans-Missis- 
sippi Department knew that I was their representative on the 
President's staff, and I was appealed to by them continually for 
relief. Even at this late period I frequently meet with those 
whom I relieved during the war, and they appear as grateful 
now as then. 

I was at the President's mansion quite often, where I always 
received a cordial welcome. Mrs. Davis was a most refined, ac- 
complished, and excellent lady, bright, pleasing, and intelligent 
in conversation, and an elegant entertainer. Her sister, Miss 
Maggie Howell, resided with her. A social hour with Mr. and 
Mrs. Davis was a treat. 

I enjoyed a visit sometimes to the Governor and his wife, with 
whom I was well acquainted. Besides, I made the acquaintance 
of many pleasant people and very warm friendships with others, 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 557 



and, when opportunity offered, which I must say was seldom, I 
was with them. 

I became well acquainted with Mrs. Winkler, wife of my dis- 
tinguished friend Colonel Winkler, of Hood's brigade, and sub- 
sequently one of the judges of the Court of Appeals of our State. 
He married her in Kichmond. She was brave and true, often in 
the lines, sometimes camping almost within reach of the enemy's 
guns. She is now one of the inost intelligent and lovable women 
in Texas, an honorary member of Hood's brigade. 

During the winter before Richmond was evacuated provisions 
became very scarce, so much so that even the President had meat 
only a few times a week, and had to content himself with rice, 
cornmeal, and the plainest and scantiest of fare. Occasionally 
Mrs. Davis would get something she could make into a pie, and 
knowing my fondness for such things, she would send for me to 
dine with her, saying she "would have pie for dinner." About 
the only meat we (Judge Reagan and I) had was the small sup- 
ply I drew from the government, generally not more than three 
or four pounds of beef a week, together with a small ration of 
rice, vinegar, and salt. We would purchase outside a little flour 
and sorghum molasses, paying toward the last as high as $100 
to $150 per gallon. At breakfast, as a general thing, we had 
black coffee, sorghum, and biscuit, — the latter made of flour, 
salt, and water, and innocent of lard or baking powder. Supper 
the same. Our rice and beef were reserved for dinner. While 
one and one-fourth pounds of beef were a day's ration for a 
soldier. Judge Reagan and family and myself had only about 
half a pound between us. As he was a civilian he could not draw 
rations, and I divided mine with him. He bought what he could 
find and afford. On one occasion MaJ. Wm. H. Martin, of 
Hood's brigade ("Old Howdy"), was invited by us to breakfast. 
I thereupon visited the market to try to add to our scant larder. 
All I could get was a shad fish, for which I paid $50. That is 
the way the Postmaster-General and one of the President's aides 
fared, and that aide was on friendly terms with the commissary 
and could get as good as could be procured, so of course there 
were large numbers of our men who fared much worse — almost 
starving. At this very time the Yankees were finding fault with 
us for not feeding their prisoners full government rations. 

As for clothes, I drew the cloth from the government and fur- 



558 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



nished all the trimmings and paid a tailor $1000 to make me a 
suit of gray. 

The winter of 186-1-65 was doleful enough in the Confed- 
erate capital. The ever-increasing scarcity of supplies was not 
the only source of anxiety. Our spirits were continually 
harassed and depressed by news of disaster from the front : 
Hood's repulse before Nashville, our worst defeat in the war 
up to this time; the enemy's occupation of Savannah and 
Charleston ; and, finally, the capture of Fort Fisher, our last sea- 
port. The latent hostility to the government began to manifest 
itself more boldly. The air was soon full of rumors of peace, 
which the enemy seemed eager to agree to if our government 
would only respond to overtures having that object in view. The 
Confederate leaders had no confidence in the enemy's sincerity 
of purpose, but President Davis, to disabuse the public mind 
on this subject, appointed commissioners to meet and confer with 
the Federals. Our commissioners were R. M. T. Hunter, John 
A. Campbell (formerly associate justice of the United States 
Supreme Court), and Vice-President Alexander H. Stephens, 
who once had close personal relations with Mr. Lincoln when a 
congressman. The preliminaries all arranged, these distinguished 
gentlemen met President Lincoln and Secretary of State Seward 
on board ship off Fortress Monroe. The conference was wholly 
informal, and no record of its proceedings was taken down by 
anyone acting as secretary. It ended in a few hours without any 
agreement having been reached. President Lincoln offered no 
terras of peace, except unconditional surrender, which was not 
to be thought of. The leader of a lost cause need not expect 
to escape unjust criticism ; and so President Davis has been 
cruelly blamed for no agreement being reached that would have 
ended the war and secured some benefits to us ; this, too, when 
no terms were submitted other than remain after irreparable de- 
feat to a conquered enemy. Our commissioners entered into the 
conference in good faith, for the purpose of securing peace to 
the "^«'o countries/' while President Lincoln and Secretary Sew- 
ard were committed to "the view of securing peace to the peo- 
ple of Ofir one common countri//' These views were incompati- 
ble, and one side or the other had to yield. The commissioners 
waived their instructions so far as to call out from President 
Lincoln what terms the Confederates might expect in his "one 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 559 



common country." This is found in the commissioners' report 
of February 5, 1865, which, among other things, said: 

"We understood from him [President Lincoln] that no terms 
or proposals of any treaty or agreement looking to an ultimate 
settlement would be entertained or made by him with the au- 
thorities of the Confederate States, because that would be a 
recognition of their existence as a separate power, which under 
no circumstances would be done; and, for a like reason, that no 
such terms would be entertained by him for the States separately ; 
no extended truce or armistice (as at present advised) would be 
granted or allowed without a satisfactory assurance in advance 
of the complete restoration of the authority of the Constitution 
and laws over all the places within the States of the Confeder- 
acy ; that whatever consequences may follow from the re-estab- 
lishment of that authority must be accepted; that individuals 
subject to pains and penalties under the laws of the United 
States might rely upon a very liberal use of the power confided 
to him to remit those pains and penalties if peace be restored." 
This meant unconditional submission, if it meant anything at all. 
And Judge Campbell says in his memoranda : "In conclusion, 
Mr. Hunter summed up what seemed to be the result of the in- 
terview : That there could be no arrangements by treaty be- 
,tween the Confederate States and the United States, or any 
agreement between them; that there was nothing left for them 
but unconditional submission." 

In response to a request of the United States Senate for in- 
formation on this subject, President Lincoln submitted the fol- 
lowing message : 

"Executive Mansion, February 10, 1865. 
"On the morning of the 3d inst., the gentlemen, Messrs. 
Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell, came aboard of our steamer 
and had an interview with the Secretary of State and myself 
of several hours' duration. N'o question of preliminaries to the 
meeting was then and there made or mentioned. JSTo papers 
were exchanged or produced, and it was in advance agreed that 
the conversation was to be informal and verbal merely. On my 
part, the whole substance of the instructions to the Secretary 
of State, hereinbefore recited, was stated and insisted upon, and 
nothing was said inconsistent therewith, while by the other party 



560 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



it was not said that in any event or any condition they ever 
would consent to reunion; and they equally omitted to declare 
that they would never so consent. They seemed to desire a 
postponement of that question and the adoption of some other 
course first, which, as some of them seemed to argue, might or 
might not lead to reunion ; but which course, we thought^ would 
amount to an indefinite postponement. 

"The conference ended without result. The foregoing, con- 
taining as it is believed all the information sought, is respect- 
fully submitted. 

"Abraham Lincoln."' 

It will be observed from the above that President Lincoln does 
not claim that he offered any terms for reunion. Even an arm- 
istice was refused unless we agreed in advance to reunion without 
conditions. Such an agreement would have been tantamount 
to an acknowledgment that the Confederacy had no legal exist- 
ance as a government, and that its supporters were rebels. 

By continuing the war we secured terms of surrender from 
General Grant, not as good as might have been, but still of in- 
calculable importance, and infinitely better than unconditional 
surrender. Grant's terms were in substance given to all our 
armies, and proved to be the only barrier against Federal en- 
croachment upon our rights of person and property. 

After the failure of the peace conference, the Confederate 
Congress issued an address to the people, saying in part : "The 
enemy, after drawing us into a conference, abruptly terminated it 
by insisting upon terms which they well knew we could not ac- 
cept. Our absolute surrender and submission to the will of the 
conquerer are the only conditions vouchsafed by our arrogant 
foe. We are told that if we will lay down our arms and our lives, 
liberty, property, and domestic institutions at the feet of Presi- 
dent Lincoln, he will be merciful to us." 

At a meeting held in the African Church at Eichmond for an 
exchange of views on the situation. President Davis opened the 
discussion by an eloquent speech urging a continuance of the 
war, as right was sure to prevail in the end. He was bold 
and defiant in his utterances, and his hopes of final success for 
our cause appeared unshaken by accumulating disasters. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 561 



Vice-President Stephens was loudly called on for a speech, 
but he did not respond. 

In a burst.of pathetic eloquence E. M. T. Hunter said : "What- 
ever is sacred in human affections, or dear to the hearts of men, 
is involved in this contest ; and may God grant us the wisdom 
to devise and the arm to execute those measures which, under 
His hand, shall effect our deliverance in this great crisis." 

"We now know that this people must conquer its freedom or 
die," said Secretary Benjamin. ". . . The government must 
take in charge every bale of cotton and every pound of tobacco, 
as a basis of means for prosecuting the war, and every pound of 
bacon must come as a free gift to feed the soldiers. Talk of 
rights ! What rights do the arrogant invaders leave you ? To 
the army in front send aid, be it white or black. Let us say 
to every negro who wishes to go into the ranks on condition of 
being made free : 'Go and fight ; you are free !' . . . My own 
negroes have been to me and said : 'Master, set us free, and we 
will fight for you. We had rather fight for you than for the 
Yankees.' " 

In conclusion, Mr. Benjamin said that it was the affair of the 
States separately to move off in this matter of freeing such slaves 
as chose to fight for their country, and that Virginia should 
take the lead. 

In February, 1865, General Lee was made generalissimo of 
all the Confederate armies, and clothed with extraordinary 
powers to meet the emergency. 

In view of our desperate situation, Lee urged that the ranks 
of the army be filled with negro troops. In response to the call 
of her noblest son, Virginia, through her Legislature, authorized 
the enlistment of slaves on terms to be agreed upon between 
their owners and the Confederate authorities. 

Finally Congress authorized by act the enlistment of slaves 
in the army ; but it came too late for enforcement. 

Thinking, perhaps, that the last battle would be in Virginia, 
General Lee, in a letter to General Breckenridge, then Secretary 
of War, said, under date of February 19, 1865 : "It is necessary 
to bring out all of our strength, and, I fear, to unite our armies, 
as separately they do not seem to be able to make headway against 
the enemy. Provisions must be accumulated in Virginia, and 
36 



562 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



every man in all the States brought out. I fear it may be neces- 
sary to abandon all our cities, and preparations should be made 
for this contingency." 

The final effort of General Lee to raise the seige of Eichmond 
was the assault on Fort Stedman, led by the heroic Gen. Jno. 
B. Gordon. Though taken, the fort could not be held and our 
condition was not bettered. 

Admiral Eaphael Semmes,^* of Alabama fame, commanded 
our gunboat fleet on James Eiver. 

Lee's veterans still presented an intrepid front, and the over- 
whelming enemy paused, as if with a kind of involuntary re- 
ispect for the Confederates, before closing in for the last struggle. 



9* After the loss of his ship, the Alabama, m the English Channel in 
June, 1864, Semmes made his way back to the Confederacy via Mexico. 
He passed through Texas by stage, and after a few days rest at his 
home in Mobile arrived at Richmond in January, 1865. He was then 
immediately promoted to the rank of rear admiral in the Confederate 
navy and placed in command of the James River fleet. Semmes did 
not get to test his skill as commander of an inland fleet. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 563 



CHAPTEK THIRTY-ONE. 

Evacuation of Richmond — Confederate Government at Danville — 
Lee's Surrender — President Davis and Staff at Greensboro — Halt at 
Charlotte — Sherman-Johnston Negotiations — Departure South vizard 
of the Presidential Party and Escort — Last Cabinet Meeting — Last 
Council of War — Dissolution of the Government at Washington, 
Ga.— Mrs. Davis — The President and Party Captured — Indigni- 
ties My Letter Home Written from Macon — Augusta— Reagan, 

Stephens and Wheeler — Fortress Monroe and Fort Delaware. 

As spring approached the alarms of attack were more fre- 
quent ; and all too soon, on Sunday morning, April 2, 1865, 
the reality came. 

The President while at church received a telegram from Gen- 
eral Lee advising him of his intention to that night withdraw his 
forces from the inner lines of the defenses of Petersburg. He 
left the church quietly, and, going to his office, gave directions 
for the evacuation of Richmond, which was to take place simul- 
taneously with General Lee's withdrawal from his position, noti- 
fying the cabinet and staff officers that we would leave on the 
train for Danville.^"' 

I was at church and heard nothing until, stopping at the 
stable for my horse on my way to dinner, I was informed that 
a messenger had been there for me, and learned of the excite- 
ment in the city. I repaired immediately to the executive office. 
There I found everything upside down, packing. My energies 
were bent to the work of preparation for the departure, and as 
things were fairly packed before I got to the office, I could soon 
leave for the executive mansion, where, after rendering some 
assistance to the President, I received from him my orders. 

I met him at the hour appointed and accompanied him, with 
the other members of his staff, to the train. This was the saddest 
trip I had ever made, for I could but feel grieved — sorelv dis- 
tressed ; a sorrow that was ominous of the future. 

Arriving safely at Danville, we went into quarters, opened 
up our offices, and assumed our duties. 

»^Mrs. Davis had previously gone to Chester, S. C. on account of 
her failing health. Col. Burton Harrison attended her. 



564 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



The people of the town extended every aid and courtesy to the 
government officials. The President was the guest of Mr. Suth- 
erlin, and we also partook of his hospitality. 

It was here April 5, 1865, he issued a stirring appeaP** to the 
people, expressing his hope that we would yet ultimately be 
victorious. After remaining some eight days in Danville we re- 
ceived intelligence that Lee's army was to be surrendered. This 
news was brought by young Wise, whose promptness probably 
saved us for the time being from capture. We closed our office, 
packed up, and left for Charlotte. 

Upon reaching Greensboro, the President had a conference 
with Generals Johnston"' and Beauregard, and his cabinet offi- 
cers. It was decided that General Johnston should hold a con- 
ference with General Sherman about the suspension of hostili- 
ties, to see if any arrangements could be made to put an end to 
the war. 

A cartel embodying terms of surrender for Johnston's army 
was drafted and sent to Washington, D. C, for approval, and, 
pending a reply, an armistice was agreed upon. 

Leaving Greensboro on the 16th, we arrived at Charlotte two 
days later. The people gathered about the President and showed 
him every attention and respect. While he was talking to them 
he was handed a telegram. The assembly, presuming it was 
some army news, called vociferously for its reading. It proved 
to be a telegram announcing the assassination of President Lin- 

9^ President Davis said in this address: 

"It is for us, my countrymen, to show by our bearing under reverses 
how wretched has been the self-deception of those who have believed 
us less able to endure misfortune with fortitude than to encounter 
danger with courage. 

"We have now entered upon a new phase of the struggle. Relieved 
from the necessity of guarding particular points, our army will be free 
to move from point to point to strike the enemy in detail, far from his 
base. Let us but will it, and we are free. . . . 

"Let us then not despond, my countrymen; but. relying on God, meet 
the foe with fresh defiance and with unconquered and unconquerable 
hearts." 

*' President Davis was not convinced that Johnston's surrender was 
necessary, and always held that he should have insisted on better terms 
than were accorded to Lee, as the circumstances of his situation were 
vastly ditferent. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 565 



coin, which he read to the assembl}'. I think it produced a pro- 
found impression. Mr. Davis was as much surprised as the mul- 
titude at the intelligence. Following the reading of this dispatch 
he delivered an eloquent speech, urging the people to keep up 
the struggle and expressing the belief that we would still tri- 
umph. 

General Duke, with Dibrell's cavalry, held Charlotte while 
negotiations were pending between Generals Johnston and Sher- 
man. General Breckenridge soon brought Mr. Davis a copy of 
the Johnston-Sherman cartel ; but two days later Johnston wired 
that the authorities at Washington had rejected it, and shortly 
thereafter came the news of his surrender on the 34th of April. 

Thereupon the President and stafE, with General Breckenridge, 
the Secretary of War, and the remaining members of the cabi- 
net left Charlotte to join, if possible, Generals Taylor and For- 
rest in Alabama, and with those commanders, and such troops as 
they might be able to hold together, retreat across the Missis- 
sippi into Texas, and there marshal another army and continue 
the war. A conception worthy of the daring and resolute mind 
of the hero of Buena Vista, and of a spirit that did not yield to 
defeat until all power of resistance was withdrawn by Fate ! 

Speaking of the last cabinet meeting held, Hon. John H. Eea- 
gan says : 

"I remember very well our last cabinet meeting. It was after 
we had left Eichmond and were traveling through the southern 
portion of North Carolina. It was near the border of the two 
States, North and South Carolina. It was under a big pine 
tree that we stopped to take some lunch. Mr. Trenholm, the 
Secretary of the Treasury, was absent. He had been taken sick 
at Charlotte, and after trying to keep up with us for about 
twenty miles, he gave out and tendered his resignation. The 
resignation of Mr. Trenholm was discussed, and it was finally 
accepted, and I was selected to take charge of his portfolio in 
conjunction with that of Postmaster-General. I remember on 
that occasion Mr. Davis said, when I requested to be relieved 
from that additional duty : 'You can look after that without 
much trouble. We have concluded that there is not much for 
the Secretary of the Treasury to do, and there is but little money 
left for him to steal.' That was in April, 1865. 

"Some time after that George Davis, Attorney-General, asked 



566 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



President Davis' advice about retiring from the cabinet. The 
Attorney-General said he wanted to stand by the Confederacy, 
but his family and his property were at Wilmington, and he was 
in doubt as to where his duty called him. 'By the side of your 
family," promptly responded Mr. Davis. After the Attorney- 
General left us, there were only four members of the cabinet left 
to continue the journey to Washington, Ga., which was our 
destination." 

On our journey we found the country in many places desolated 
and the people sadly depressed. They seemed afraid to have our 
party with them; afraid of being visited with vengeance for 
having entertained us. Seeing this, I remarked to the Presi- 
dent : "Wait, sir, until we get into my native State, South Caro- 
lina, and you will know it."' In the afternoon, while passing 
a handsome residence, some little distance from the road, a bevy 
of ladies approached the gate with beautiful flowers, threw them 
at Mr. Davis' feet, and insisted on the President and his party 
dismounting. This we did, and entered the hospitable home. 
They would not listen to us going further that day, and we spent 
the night. The gentleman's name, as well as I remember, was 
Springs. I remember he married a Baxter, and subsequently 
some of the family came to Houston. Upon being so cordially 
received, I very naturally inquired what State we were in. The 
reply came, "South Carolina," to my great delight. 

"We put up at Abbeville, S. C, for the night," says Judge 
Eeagan, "because we were informed that a lot of Yankee cav- 
alry were in Washington, Ga. At that point Benjamin said he 
proposed to leave the country and get as far away from the 
United States as possible. Mr. Davis asked him how he proposed 
to get down to the coast. 'Oh,' replied Benjamin, 'there is a 
distinguished Frenchman whose name and initials are the same 
as mine, and, as I can talk a little French, I propose to pass my- 
self off as the French Benjamin.' " 

The President was the guest of Mr. Burt at Abbeville, and 
there, on the night of our arrival, was held the last council of 
war. 

Mr. Davis' escort consisted of five skeleton brigades (2500 
cavalry) commanded by Generals Duke, Dibrell, Ferguson, 
Breckenridge (W. P. C), and Vaughn. 

The President called a council of war to ascertain from these 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 567 



brigade commauders the true spirit of their soldiers, and presided 
over it in person. Gens. J. C. Breckenridge (Secretary of War) 
and Bragg were also present. Of those participating in the 
council, President Davis alone seemed entirely calm and un- 
affected by the desperate state of our fortunes. He was affable, 
dignified, and looked the very personification of high and un- 
daunted courage. Each officer gave in his turn a statement of 
the condition and feeling of his men, and, when urged to do so, 
declared his views on the situation. The declarations of all were 
in substance the same. They and their soldiers despaired of the 
war being further successfully conducted, and doubted the pro- 
priety of prolonging it. They said that the honor of the sol- 
diery was involved in securing Mr. Davis' safe escape ; that they 
would not surrender, if it were possible to avoid it, until that 
object was accomplished, and that if need be they would risk bat- 
tle to attain it ; but, that done, they would not ask their men to 
struggle against a fate which was inevitable and forfeit all hope 
of restoration to their homes and friends. 

Mr. Davis declared that he wished to hear of no plan which 
had for its object only his safety ; that 2500 brave men were 
enough to prolong the war until the panic had passed, and they 
would then constitute a nucleus for thousands more to gather 
around. "He urged us," says General Duke, "to accept his views. 
AVe were silent, for we could not agree with him, and respected 
him too much to reply. Mr. Davis then said bitterly that all 
hope was gone, — that all the friends of the South were prepared 
to consent to her degradation. When he arose to leave the room 
he had lost his erect bearing, his face was pale, and he faltered 
so much in his steps that he was compelled to lean upon General 
Breckenridge. It was a sad sight to men who felt towards him 
as we did. 1 will venture to say that nothing he has subse- 
quently endured equaled the bitterness of that moment." 

Besides the escort, the President's party consisted of Hon. 
Jno. H. Reagan, Postmaster-General and Acting Secretary of 
the Treasury, Col. Wm. Preston Johnston, Col. John Taylor 
Wood, Lieutenant Barnwell, of South Carolina, and myself, and 
the faithful colored servant of Mr. Davis, James Jones. 

We had no wagon or ambulance. Mr. Davis had a small pack- 
mule, carrvins: his blankets and valise. I had a led-animal. 



568 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



having recently bought a fine horse. The others had but one 
horse each. 

For some time my Richmond animal was a little lame and 
unable to keep up with the President's elegant horse "Ken- 
tucky," a present sent him by a party from that State. I de- 
termined, if possible, to procure one that was as good a traveler. 
We fell in with a Kentucky quartermaster who had a superb 
roadster, black as a raven, thoroughly gaited, and a beauty. He 
placed his price at $125 in gold. I paid for him with $20 in 
gold, borrowed from Judge Reagan, and a bill that I had with 
me. When I left Texas Mr. Warren Adams, a neighbor of mine, 
gave me a twenty-pound English bank note to hand a party in 
Virginia. I secured that note by wrapping it in my pants. I 
never did find the party to whom I was to pay it. That note, 
which would have purchased a cartload of Confederate money at 
that time, was the one I used in payment for the horse, and I 
paid its value in gold to Mr. Adams upon my return to Texas. 

While mine was lame. General Breckenridge very kindly 
loaned me one of his horses, an admirable one. I became very 
much attached to it, and I otfered for it fifty cows with their 
calves, well worth $500 in gold, and agreed to write to my stock- 
keeper to brand and keep them for him for one season, — a little 
fortune for one of his younger children. For some reason he 
would not sell, but said : "He is yours to use at all times.'' 

That offer, to a Texas cow man, would sound as big as "my 
kingdom for a horse." The truth is, $125 in gold in the last 
days of the Confederacy and 1 00 head of cattle on my ranch near 
Houston was something to speak of. Richard's kingdom, at the 
time he offered to barter it, was not. 

Continuing in a westerly direction, we reached the Savannah 
River, and halted awhile on its banks. Here, through the in- 
fluence of General Breckenridge, the troops were paid a portion 
of the gold brought out from Richmond, and here Dibrell and 
Vaughn, with their men, remained to surrender. Our party, 
growing smaller all the time, arrived in Washington, Ga., about 
the 4th of May. I had the good luck here to meet up with my 
friend Gen. Tom Harrison, commander of the Texas Rangers. 
He had been severely wounded in North Carolina, and, having 
no clothing, obtained a few necessary articles from me. Judge 
Reagan remained awhile in town to close out the Confederate 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 569 



treasury business. This he did in short order, causing to be 
burned about $700,000 in Confederate notes. Judge Eeagan 
overtook Colonel Johnston and myself at a country blacksmith 
shop, and resuming our journey togther, we soon overtook our 
party. 

After leaving Washington and before reaching Sandersville, 
Ga., all our remaining cavalry commands dropped out, going in 
various directions. 

At Sandersville we fell in with M. H. Clark,"- acting treas- 
urer. When about separating he suggested to the members of 
the staff that we would need funds for our subsistence and trans- 
portation, and that if we would take $1500 each in gold he 
would pay us that sum. This offer we accepted, giving the fol- 
lowing form of receipt : 

"Sandersville, Ga., May 6, 1865. 
*'$1500. 

"Eeceived of M. H. Clark, Acting Treasurer C. S., fifteen 
hundred dollars ($1500) gold coin, the property of the Con- 
federate States, for transmission abroad, of the safe arrival of 
which due notice to be given the Secretary of the Treasury." 

[Signature.] 

No funds were given to the President. I have learned that 
Judge Eeagan was prevailed upon by the Treasurer to place in 
his saddle-bags some $3500. The judge had quite an amount 
of his own funds with him. 

Preston Johnston remained in Sandersville to transact some 
business. Judge Eeagan and myself also stopped subsequently 
to reclaim one of our horses which had been stolen. When we 
met Colonel Johnston again he told us he had some very im- 
portant intelligence for the President, and that he must hasten 
to him. The news was that he had reason to believe that Mrs. 
Davis and party were on a parallel road with us a few miles 

8 8 In after years Mr. M. H. Clark wrote to Mrs. Davis (October 6, 
1890), as follows: 

"I came out of Richmond with him [President Davis. — Ed.] the 
chief and confidential clerk of the executive office, in charge of the 
office papers, a member of his military family, composed of his cabinet 
and staff, and I was close to his person until he parted with me on May 
6. 1865, near Sandersville, Ga., and sent me in charge of our wagon 
train, he leaving ' everything on wheels' to join you." 



570 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



across the countr}^, and that a band of deserters and discharged 
soldiers were following her train with the view of robbing it 
of the mules and horses, and probably of their subsistence. 

"Colonel," said I, "these rumors may be incorrect; your re- 
port may change the plans of Mr. Davis. Burton Harrison is 
with Mrs. Davis ; he will take care of her, and we had better not 
stop to look after the train.'- 

"Colonel," he promptly replied, "I have been with Mr. Davis 
and his family a long while ; I know him better than you do. He 
would never forgive me if I should withhold this information 
from him. He would say: 'It was your duty to give me the 
facts, and let me decide the course I should take.' " So saying, 
he pushed on. 

Judge Eeagan and myself got to the camp the presidential 
party had vacated after night. There we found a guide who 
was to take us over the country and enable us to rejoin the Presi- 
dent. We were well mounted and rode very rapidly. The guide 
knew the country well and took us straight through fields, let- 
ting down fences and riding through gates. About midnight 
we overtook the President. After the usual greetings the entire 
party moved forward, our horses pushed to a brisk canter. 
Some time before daylight we were halted. The guard chal- 
lenging us was Burton Harrison. Anticipating an attack from 
marauders, he was on the alert, and had thrown out pickets with 
instructions to keep a sharp lookout. We were soon in camp, 
where the President had the pleasure of embracing his wife and 
children in their tent, and we betook ourselves to rest as best we 
could. 

Although quite tired, we were astir early, and immediately 
after breakfast resumed our journey. The President's party, 
very small before and without a wagon or tent, was largely in- 
creased by Mrs. Davis and her train, composed of several wagons 
and ambulances, driven by paroled soldiers. As a consequence 
we could move but slowly. 

The train had been provided by the quartermasters to convey 
her and family, with necessary stores, to a place of safety. 

After traveling a few miles, Mr. Davis took leave of his fam- 
ily. Col. Burton Harrison, with Mrs. Davis, was to proceed to 
a ferry on the river, while the President was to take a road 
leading \\\\ the river, cross at a ford, and travel in a somewhat 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 571 



opposite direction. Upon arriving at the ford (quite a distance), 
we could not cross, the stream being much swollen. There was 
no alternative but to drop back and take the ferry. We arrived 
there after night. The road was so boggy that it was almost im- 
passable, and reminded me of the Brazos and Trinity bottoms 
during a rainy season. 

There we found that Colonel Harrison was still at the ferry 
with a portion of his train not yet passed over the river. After 
great delay we crossed and again struck camp together. 

We were moving quite early next morning. Fully realizing 
that so large a party would be certain to attract the attention of 
the enemy's scouts, that we had every reason to believe were in 
pursuit of us, it was decided at noon that as soon as we had con- 
cluded the midday meal the President and his companions would 
again bid farewell to Mrs. Davis and her escort. We halted on 
a small stream near Irvinsville, Ga., and dinner over, saddled 
our horses, and made everything ready to mount at a moment's 
notice. Time wore on, the afternoon was spent, night set in, 
and we were still in camp. Why the order "to horse" was not 
given by the President I do not know. 

Next morning, May 10, 1865, just before daylight, during a 
cool, drizzling rain, we were awakened by sharp firing on the 
opposite side of the stream. 

Col. John Taylor Wood and myself slept under a pine tree, 
fifty or one hundred feet from Mr. Davis ; the others being 
nearer his tent. We sprang immediately to our feet. Colonel 
Wood put on his Yankee blouse and escaped f^ the best thing for 
him to do, as he had incurred the special hatred of the Yankees 
by his naval exploits. Drawing on my boots, I secured my horse, 
which was tied close to my head, and held him by the reins. 

By this time the Federal troopers were on us. We were scarce 
called upon to surrender before they pounced down upon us like 

'^ Colonel Wood, after leaving us, fell in with General Breckenridge, 
and they made their way together to Cuba, and thence to Montreal, 
Canada, from which place Colonel Wood wrote, under date of July 27, 
1865, to my wife at Houston, speaking in very complimentary terms of 
my behavior when the enemy entered our camp, expressing the wish 
that I might soon be restored to liberty, and stating that nothing would 
afford him greater pleasure than to render Mrs. Lubbock any service in 
his power. 



572 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



freebooters, and in a short time the}' were in possession of very 
nearly everything of value that was in the camp. I resisted being 
robbed, and lost nothing then except some gold coin that was in 
my holsters. I demanded to see an officer, and called attention 
to the firing, saying that they were killing their own men across 
the branch, and that we had no armed men with us. It tran- 
spired that the Fourth Michigan, who captured us, and an In- 
diana regiment, coming on us from opposite directions, were 
firing into each other, killing and wounding a number of their 
own men. 

While a stop was being pvit to this I went over to Mr. Davis, 
who was seated on a log, under guard. I wish here, in the in- 
terest of the truth of history, and from my own knowledge, to 
emphatically brand as false the statement that Mr. Davis was 
disguised in female apparel. He was dressed in the clothes he 
wore the day before, and his bearing was such as might have 
been expected from a man who had often met perils unmoved, — 
that of a brave soldier, a great general whose sun was sinking 
below the horizon after stormy days of battle, of a noble patriot 
capable of dying, if fortune so willed, upon the block without 
the tremor of a muscle, without blanching of the cheek by the ab- 
sence of a single wonted crimson drop, and with flashing eagle 
eA^es undimmed. He sat firmly erect, and looked in all respects 
more the ideal hero than in the hours of his greatest prosperity. 

The rpan who a few days before was at the head of a govern- 
men was treated by his captors with uncalled for indignity. To 
cite one instance is sufficient: A private stepped up to him 
rudely and said : "Well, Jeffy, how do you feel now ?" I was 
so exasperated that I threatened to kill the fellow, and called 
upon the officers to protect their prisoner from insult. 

The conduct of the captors throughout was marked by any- 
thing but soldierly bearing. They found no preparations for de- 
fense, and encountered no resistance, and could have well been 
magnanimous, as they had secured such a prize ; but they showed 
the smallness of their souls all the way from overbearing con- 
duct down to the pilfering of small articles. 

After the excitement of the capture was over, the wounded 
cared for, and the killed buried. Colonel Pritchard, in command 
of the Union troopers, promised he would parade his regiment, 
recover the stolen property (money, watches, and other things), 




JNO. H. REAGAN. F. R. LUBBOCK. 

JNO. TAYLOR WOOD. 
WM. PRESTON JOHNSON. BURTON N. HARRISON, 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 573 



and return it to the owners. The parade was not ordered, nor 
was anything that had been stolen returned, not even the articles 
that belonged to Mrs. Davis. Her horses, given her by the citi- 
zens of Eichmond, were unharnessed and appropriated, although 
we all protested and assured Colonel Pritchard that the horses 
were her private and personal property. During all this wretched 
time she bore up with womanly fortitude. She may have ex- 
pressed to her friends her indignation at the conduct of our 
captors; but her bearing towards them was such as was to be 
expected from so elegant, high-souled, and refined a Southern 
woman. 

The children were all young, and hovered about her like a 
covey of young, frightened partridges ; while her sister. Miss 
Maggie Howell, was wonderfully self-possessed and dignified.^"'' 

When I think of the terrible trial that tested their souls, I 
feel that the heroism of our armies was surpassed by the moral 
courage of our women. 

Except Colonel Wood, Lieutenant Barnwell was the only one 
of our party who escaped. 

The prisoners were next arranged in accordance with orders, 
and Colonel Pritchard, with his command as guard, took up the 
line of march for Macon. On our way thither we received a 
most notable piece of news. It was Johnson's proclamation of 
$100,000 reward for the capture of Mr. Davis, who was charged 
with being an accessory to the assassination of Mr. Lincoln, — 
a charge so preposterous to those of us who knew him that we 
were at a loss to account for its having been made until we be- 
came more fully acquainted with the blind rage that possessed 
the Northern people. 

I rode my fine Kentucky horse to Macon. LTpon his back was 
one of those beautiful "Hope" saddles known to all old Texans, 
presented to me by my friend C. K. Hall, of Bastrop. I had it 
completely rigged when going into the army. I had used it for 
many years before, when I almost lived in the saddle. I was 
never thrown out of it, and loved it nearly as well as I did my 
spurs, not only for the use I had out of it, but the sentiment sur- 
rounding it. When I dismounted at Macon I told the officer 

loorpj^g gQa^j-sp indignities of the Yankees on this occasion were 
whollv inexcusable. — Ed. 



574 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



that I would like to retain my saddle; that I would pay more 
than its value in consequence of its having been the gift of a 
friend. He replied, "The government wants your saddle." I 
answered sharply, "I reckon you want it." There was a good 
double-reined bridle on the horse. I had no strap on my Mexi- 
can blanket, which he tried to take from me. I took my knife 
out of my pocket, and in an instant cut the reins off close to the 
bit, saying, "Well, I will just take these to strap my blanket." 
He looked daggers at me, but I kept the reins. 

Here I managed to write a letter home, which reached there 
after a very long time. I still had paper of the executive office 
of the Confederate States, and wrote upon it. I suppose it was 
my Texas experience in rough traveling, added to my methodical 
way of carrying on business even under difficulties, that accounts 
for my being so well equipped at the end of such a long and rapid 
retreat. My saddle bags were not only supplied with writing 
material necessary to the business of an aide, but I had a suffi- 
ciency of good clothing on my pack horse, a Mexican blanket, and 
other necessaries ; wore a good new uniform and new boots, re- 
tained my valuable gold watch, and had money enough in my 
possession to have been murdered if it had been known. 

I was equipped for a campaign, and lost nothing upon being 
made a prisoner but my horses, saddle, and pistols, and part of 
the money deposited in my holsters. 

Here is the letter home: 

"Macon, May 13, 1865. 

"My Dear Wife : I am at this place a prisoner of war. The 
President, with a small party making their way to the Trans- 
Mississippi, was captured on the 10th near Irvinsville, Ga., about 
100 miles south of this place. 

"It is said we will be sent to Washington immediately. 

"Do not be uneasy, my dear wife. I am in fine health and 
about as well treated as could be expected. I will endeavor to 
write you frequently. Keep up your spirits, my sweet wife. All 
will yet be well. 

"You had better sell cattle if you can occasionally for specie, 
and secure it in case you should need it. 

"I can not yet determine what I shall do. 

"I shall stand by the country as long as there is a government 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 575 



or any hope. I can not say much at present. God bless you and 
all at home. Give my love to all. Kiss the children for me, 
and believe me, my dear wife, 

"Yours most truly, 

"F. R. Lubbock." 

The children referred to were our nieces and nephews. 

This letter makes plain that I wished to provide specie for an 
emergency, though what that might be I could not decide, and 
shows that I still clung to a hope for the Confederacy. That 
hope was founded upon my high appreciation of the western 
army, and it gives me pleasure to remember that, just as I was 
writing that letter, though the President was captured, the Con- 
federates in Texas won a victory in a fight, the last of the war, 
near Brazos Santiago, and Gen. Kirby Smith did not surrender 
until two weeks after, May 36, 1865. 

From Macon we were taken by rail to Augusta, thence by boat 
to Savannah, and from the latter place by gunboat to Fortress 
Monroe, at the month of the James. 

At Augusta our number was increased by Vice-President Alex- 
ander H. Stephens, Senator Clay of Alabama, with his hand- 
some, spirited wife, and Gen. Joe Wheeler, chief of cavalry in 
the Army of Tennessee, with his adjutant, Captain Rawle. The 
region about Augusta was the territory in which this dashing 
cavalry commander displayed so much heroism, driving back to 
their base marauding parties sent out from General Sherman's 
lines on his march to the sea. 

Mr. Clay was included in Mr. Johnson's proclamation with 
Mr. Davis, and voluntarily surrendered himself to meet the 
charge. 

It is proper here to state that General Wheeler had met Mr. 
Davis when at Charlotte, from which place, after consultation, 
he repaired to Greensboro for his cavalry force to form part of 
the presidential escort ; but by an unforeseen mishap failed in his 
purpose and did not see Mr. Davis again until they met as pris- 
oners at Augusta. General Wheeler, some years later, when a 
member of the United States Congress from Alabama, thus wrote 
in his "Reminiscences of Jefferson Davis": 

"I next met Mr. Davis at Augusta. . . . We went to Sa- 
,vannah on a small steamboat, thence to Hilton Head, where we 



576 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



boarded the transport Clyde, and, convoyed by the frigate Tus- 
carora, we sailed for Fortress Monroe. 

"Our party included Mr. and Mrs. Davis, their daughter, a 
very young girl in short dresses, and Miss Winnie, a baby in 
arms ; also Miss Howell, a sister of Mrs. Davis ; Mr. Reagan, Sen- 
ator and Mrs. C. C. Clay, Alexander Stephens, Col. Preston 
Johnston, Cols. F. R. Lubbock and Burton Harrison, of Mr. 
Davis' staff, and my three staff officers. Col. Marcellus Hudson, 
Captain Rawle, and Lieutenant Ryan. 

"We formed a very pleasant group, and, considering all things, 
enjoyed the trip more than might have been expected. Mr. Da- 
vis' noble courage never forsook him for a moment ; he was per- 
fectly calm and seemed to have no regard for himself or his fate. 
He fully appreciated the sad condition of the people of the Con- 
federacy, and much that he said showed how clearly his pene- 
trating mind peered into the future. ... I saw two possi- 
ble chances for his escape, both of which I made known to him, 
but he expressed himself as not desiring to make the attempt. 
It was evident that he felt his relief from responsibility, and, 
amid all his trials and troubles, he evidently enjoyed the pleas- 
ure of having a few days which he could so entirely devote to 
his family. He walked the deck with his baby, Winnie, in his 
arms, and frequently allowed me the same privilege, which I was 
always delighted to accept. We were at sea several days, the Tus- 
carora always being near us." 

In the late Spanish war General Wheeler left his seat in Con- 
gress to accept a commission as major-general of volunteers in 
the United States army, and greatly distinguished himself in 
the campaign before Santiago de Cuba. The fame of this gal- 
lant ex-Confederate and now L^nitcd States soldier is fresh in 
the minds of all the people of the restored Union. 

As to Vice-President Stephens' demeanor, as far as Fortress 
Monroe, General Wheeler said : "Mr. Stephens and myself oc- 
cupied the same stateroom. He was less cheerful than Mr. Davis, 
and seemed very much more apprehensive regarding our fate. 
I tried to reassure him, and reminded him of his Savannah 
speech, and of his extensive acquaintance with men who held 
prominent positions in the government ; but my arguments were 
without effect, and he expressed himself as convinced that his 
confinement woi;ld be very long, if not perpetual. I said, "^Why, 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 577 



Mr. Stephens, if you expect such treatment, what about Mr. 
Davis?' His only reply was: 'My young friend, do not speak 
of it.' " 

When we arrived at Fortress Monroe Mr. Davis did me the 
honor to request of the United States government that I should 
be permitted to share his prison with him. This was promptly 
refused. 

For the next two years this fortress was the place of his im- 
prisonment, the severities of which he endured with manly dig- 
nity and heroic fortitude. Senator Clay was also incarcerated 
here. Their families were sent back to Savannah. 

Vice-President Stephens and the Postmaster General, John 
H. Eeagan, w^ere sent to Fort Warren, in Boston harbor; Col. 
Burton N. Harrison, the President's private secretary, to the old 
Capitol prison, Washington, D. C. ; and Gen. Joe Wheeler, Col. 
Preston Johnston and myself to Fort Delaware, on the west side 
of Delaware Bay. We were conveyed to Fort Delaware on the 
steamer Maumee, Commander Parker, now a prominent lawyer 
in New York.^i 

On the trip Captain Parker was very kind, and said : "Col- 
onel, if you will make no attempt to escape, I will with pleasure 
give my room up to you." I readily gave the required promise, 
telling him I could not swim well enough to attempt an escape, 
and that I had no intention of committing suicide. 

From that time forward I had a comfortable voyage. 



loiln 1890 (while I was State Treasurer) Captain Parker called 
upon me at the capitol, and we passed some time together in pleasant 
conversation. It was deemed quite a notable fact that,' after so many 
years, he and his three prisoners should all be alive and getting along 
well in the world — General Wheeler a member of Congress from Ala- 
bama, Colonel Johnston president of Tulane University, Louisiana, and 
myself State Treasurer of Texas. 
37 



578 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



CHAPTEE THIRTY-TWO. 

Life in Prison — General Schoepff — My Bare Quarters — Hard Fare — 
No Books but the Bible and Prayer Book — No Letters Allowed to Go 
Out or Come In — A Ruse — News — Release — Washington City — 
Interview with Secretary Stanton and President Johnson — Return to 
Texas via Cairo and New Orleans — Welcome Home — The Situation 
in Texas. 

As I entered the barracks at Fort Delaware I was met by my 
friend Colonel Manning, of the Third Arkansas, who most cor- 
dially welcomed me to the prison. I smiled and said : "Colonel, 
the mischief you are glad to see me here !" 

"Well," he answered, "Lubbock, I meant if you had to be in 
prison, I wanted you with us." 

Housed in the quarters to which we were directed were 2500 
Confederates, in charge of a North Carolinian, Colonel Hinton, 
one of their number, who was held responsible for their good 
conduct. I was told to select a bunk, which I did up on the 
third tier, and commenced earnestly to fix for such comfort as 
prison life could afford. I arranged my blanket and clothing, 
.and gave my soiled linen to a lieutenant, who agreed to wash 
them, after which I took dinner, by invitation, with friends, a 
very fair prison dinner; also my supper. I purchased a few 
trinkets, whalebone rings, made by some expert carver, to give 
him a little spending money. Each officer brought his particular 
talent into requisition to contribute to his comfort. 

Through the day I met many friends, and thought I was about 
to have a good time with so much good company, despite the sor- 
rowful circumstances. My fellow captives were very cheerful, 
as they expected to be released in a few days.^°^ 

After a pleasant evening I climbed into my bunk and slept 
well, getting up next morning quite refreshed. 

After breakfast an officer presented himself and asked if I 
was Colonel Lubbock. 

10 2. Tune 6th all the privates and officers up to captain inclusive 
were ordered released, on taking the oath of allegiance. The higher 
officers were to be released, so we were informed, after the discharge of 
all the others. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 579 



Being told that I was Colonel Lubbock, he said: "General 
Schoeptf, the conuiiandant, wishes to see you at his headquarters 
over at the fort." 

I replied: "I will accompany you at once." 

As I moved off with him, lie said : "You had better take your 
things with you." 

I answered : "My clothing has been given out to wash." 

"Oh, we will attend to that," he rejoined. 

Getting my saddle-bags and Mexican blanket, I accompanied 
him, supposing that the General intended giving me more agree- 
able quarters in the fort, and probably wished to interview the 
whilom War-Governor of Texas and aide-de-camp to the Presi- 
dent of the Confederate States. 

If these were my thoughts, and any visions of comfort for my 
captured carcass flitted through my imagination, they soon van- 
ished when I was invited to a seat on a gun-carriage, with two 
sentinels placed over me. 

I was then informed by the provost marshal that they were 
preparing a suitable room for my sole accommodation, which I 
thought very nice of them. At 13 o'clock, having occupied my 
seat since 8 o'clock, a soldier handed me a tin cup of bean soup 
out of an apparently very dirty wooden pail ; also a small piece 
of pickled pork, hard tack, and a bottle of vinegar. 

I may say right here that I made up my mind when captured 
never to wince, if I could avoid it, in the presence of one of my 
captors or guards, — to take everything as it came and be cheer- 
ful. So when being marched along the highway to Macon, I 
treated everything that happened lightly. When asked by Col- 
onel Pritchard when I thought the cause lost, I replied : "When 
you captured President Davis and me," a pleasantry that called 
forth a hearty laugh from him, as was intended. 

Now, being hungry, I ate everything they gave me except the 
bottle of vinegar — scraping up the last crumb. Upon the guard 
remarking that I seemed to enjoy my dinner, I replied : "Very 
much. It is the best meal I have had in six months; the soup 
was fine, if it did come out of such a dirty bucket. Do you al- 
ways feed so well?" and at once I proceeded to let my belt out 
several holes. 

I was kept on that gun-carriage until dark and then taken to 
the quarters they had been so many hours in preparing for me. 



580 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



When I entered, will you believe it ? ( the war was over and 
all of our armies had surrendered and returned home) I found 
myself in a room about 13x14 feet, its door and three windows 
iron-grated with regular prison bars, the windows looking out 
on a wide moat filled with water. The floor had been scrubbed 
and was still wet. The walls had just been whitewashed, or 
rather smeared over with lime, and were also wet. There was 
no chair, or bed, or blanket, to rest upon, or indeed any article 
of furniture, — there was just the floor, ceiling, and four walls, 
and there was no light except that furnished by the lamp in the 
hall. 

I used my saddle-bags for a pillow, and my Mexican blanket, 
which I had kept them from robbing me of, to sleep upon. My 
pillow was hard, but there was a big grain of comfort in the fact 
that it still contained my Confederate gold. 

Two guards watched at my door, and at times during the night 
they would come and thrust their lanterns into my face, for 
what purpose I know not. Probably it was to see if I was hatch- 
ing treason, or possibly they thought I would attempt suicide. 
I have tried to think of some motive for it besides unmitigated 
meanness. I may have been ready for "treason, stratagem, and 
spoils" — but never for suicide. I wasn't built that way. 

I had for my breakfast next morning a piece of fresh beef, 
some baker's bread, and water. Then, for dinner, bean soup, 
pickled pork, hardtack, and all the water I desired; and day by 
day I had beef three times a week and pickled pork the other 
days, hardtack and bakers bread alternately, vinegar, salt, and 
pepper. They never did give me a ciip of coffee or tea. 

After a few days I sent for the provost marshal and told him 
unless he gave me a bed to sleep upon, I would demand to be 
sent to the hospital ; that I would not stand the floor any longer. 
I was then furnished with a sack filled with hay on a wooden 
bunk. 

Some time after that a Dr. McClellan, cousin to General Mc- 
Clellan, was assigned to duty at the fort. He visited me, and 
upon seeing how I was treated became quite indignant, saying: 
I will see the general and get permission to furnish you with nec- 
essary bedding." The day following he sent me a mattress, pil- 
low, pillow-cases, and sheets, promising when they were 
soiled to have them changed. He also sent me a book from time 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 581 



to time, and after his interesting himself in my behalf, I was fur- 
nished with a seat and table. 

I was not allowed to write to my wife. I managed, however, 
through the guard, to get many letters out and to receive a few 
in return, writing of course and receiving answers under a fic- 
titious name, that of Saltus, the name of my maternal grand- 
father. 

While it was positively prohibited for the guards to converse 
with me, in the course of time I had so impressed myself upon 
them that, when the officer was out of the way, they would listen 
to my story. Many of them were Germans, and I told them of 
my canvass against the Know-Nothings, and that gained their 
friendship, and I won the sympathy of all. Some of them would 
get me pencil and paper when I desired, and deliver my letters to 
a boatman (who carried the mail) and receive the answers. They 
would accept little mementoes of the Confederacy from me, such 
as postage stamps with Mr. Davis' photograph on them, and paste 
them in their hats with Mr. Lincoln's. They would sometimes 
say : "Give me something so that, if we come to Texas, you will 
know us." 

On one occasion there was quite a scene with the provost mar- 
shal and myself. Owing to the watchfulness of an officer, one 
of xcc^ letters to my wife was intercepted. It was brought in 
by the provost marshal. He confronted me with it and attempted 
to give me a lecture for writing, stating that I knew it was 
against the prison discipline. I answered him I had written, 
and he could rest assured I would continue to do so whenever 
opportunity offered ; that it was dastardly cruelty to prohibit me, 
a prisoner, from writing to my family, when I had offered to 
submit my letters to him before mailing. I continued to get 
letters in and out, and finally, three weeks before my discharge, 
was granted formal permission to write and receive such com- 
munications. 

The first thing Mrs. Lubbock heard of me after I was taken 
North was through the following advertisement : 

"To Mrs. Lobock, of Texas. — Your husband. Col. Frank 
Loboek, is confined at Fort Delaware in good health and spir- 
its. — A. T. Texas papers please copy." 

She always kept that little scrap of well worn newspaper (cut 
from a 35-cent advertising column) among her sacred treasures. 



583 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



I think the advertisement was inserted by a party, walking be- 
low, whose attention I attracted while I was taking exercise 
on the parapet one day, and to whom, without consulting the 
guard, I called out : "Let Mrs. Lubbock, of Texas, know that 
her husband. Col. Frank Lubbock, is here a prisoner in good 
health and spirits." 

I wish that he knew that this little piece of paper was far more 
to my wife than all the handsome notices of her husband that 
had ever been in print. Those she lost ; this she treasured. Why 
don't people take the trouble to do more little things like that, 
instead of wishing for millions, to make the human race happy? 

Prison life brings about strange incidents. It also sharpens 
one's wits. On one occasion, while walking for exercise, I saw an 
old newspaper on the parapet, near the gun-carriage. It had 
been used for wiping the coal tar off one of the guns. I was 
watched very closely by the guard, and at that time was not al- 
lowed to see a newspaper. I very hurriedly picked it up and put 
it in my coat pocket. It proved a great comfort, as it gave me 
much information concerning my Confederate friends. It gave 
a full account of the escape to Florida of General Breckenridge, 
Mr. Benjamin, and Col. Taylor Wood, and much other welcome 
news. 

It may be asked how I got to read it when I was so closely 
guarded. It was in this wise : I was allowed to close the door 
when bathing. This done, I would get in the tub (a large half- 
cask that I had impressed into service) and read, at the same 
time making a great splutter in the water. 

On another occasion the soldier-convict who brought me my 
meals presented me, although he said it was contrary to orders, 
with a bologna sausage that a prisoner had sent to me. I placed 
it away to be eaten at a more convenient season. Upon attempt- 
ing to cut it, I found it was hollow and contained something in- 
stead of sausage meat. I immediately concluded to take a bath, 
and upon testing the sausage I found it contained many feet of 
newspaper margin written all over in pencil with great news for 
me. It was sent by Burton N. Harrison, Mr. Davis' private sec- 
retary, who had been brought from the old Capitol prison, at 
Washington. D. C, and placed in Fort Delaware. He knew that 
I was in the fort, but I did not know that he had been trans- 
ferred there until he gave me the intelligence in my bologna 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 583 



sausage, together with other information qnite interesting to me. 
He gave me a most satisfactory account of the escape and safe 
arrival at Havana of my friends and companions, — General 
Breckenridge, Mr. Benjamin, and Col. Taylor Wood. 

After being in prison some time, and while walking on the 
parapet, I noticed a man observing me intently and making signs 
at me. I discovered they were Masonic signs, and I answered 
them. 

He was the sutler at the fort, and had known me in Texas. 
He informed General Schoepff that I was a Mason. The general 
called on me, and, after satisfying himself that I was a member 
of the order, said : "If you have money, you can purchase from 
the sutler such articles as you need to make you more comfort- 
able. I have issued to you the rations allowed by the govern- 
ment." 

Not wishing to let him know that I had money secreted, I 
answered, "I will draw on my friend Mr. J. H. Brower, of New 
York." 

1 gave him the check. He collected the money and gave me 
from time to time the amount I required. I at once commenced 
getting coffee, canned vegetables, and fruits, and living much 
better that when I was limited to government rations, and far 
better than when I was a Confederate soldier. But to win our 
cause it would have been sweet to live on husks. That it was 
lost was the only hardship worth mentioning. The humanity 
of the surgeon and the guards had given me a bed and an oppor- 
tunity to hear from my wife, and my credit in New York was 
doing the rest ; and I felt like a veritable banker with my little 
handful of money still secure in my possession. 

When the $1500 was given me for safe keeping l)y the treas- 
urer, I secreted quite an amount of it in an inner pocket of my 
saddle-bags, where, without close inspection, it would not be dis- 
covered, and also a large part in my heavy cavalry boots, which 
I had ripped open for that purpose. It made my boots quite 
heavy, and when walking I appeared almost lame. Some little I 
secured about my person. The remainder I rolled well and put 
in my holsters. 

Had they taken my saddle-bags, or searched me, my gold would 
have been found. Upon going into prison I took a pair of der- 
ringers from my saddle-bags and some other things, and handing 



584 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



them to the provost marshal, said : "I suppose you prefer to 
take care of these." This, I suppose, as I intended it should, 
prevented him from entertaining suspicions that would have in- 
duced him to search me. 

My life in prison tested my strength very severely; not only 
because I, fond of companionship, was in solitary confinement 
without amusement of any kind, but because I had no employ- 
ment, who am constitutionally and by habit a worker. 

I kept up my spirits, however, being determined to stand it 
like a man. I was well aware that this period of durance must 
come to an end in a few months, and in the meantime I took 
kindly to the occupations and pastimes and companions that 
could be found inside my prison bars. 

One good thing I did was to read the Bible and prayer book 
through. They were such good Christians that they furnished 
these before they gave me a seat or a bed. But in those days I 
was not prepared to derive the pleasure and benefit I ought to 
have received from pious reading and meditation. Like my 
friend Moody's man, I was sure there is a "hell ;' ' I did not see 
the "heaven" so clearly — and all the charm there is in reading 
the Bible flows from a knowledge of the truth that there is a 
heaven. ^°'* 

^"^^ When Col. W. L. Moody, of Gregg's regiment, after being severely 
wounded was returning home from the east side of the Mississippi, he 
with a number of companions drove up to a farm house near Shreve- 
port, La., hailed the owner, and inquired if he could get some fodder 
to feed his mules. The farmer seeing they were soldiers, and fearing 
he would have to supply fodder without remuneration, commenced at 
once pleading poverty, that he was a poor man and had but little 
fodder. 

Colonel Moody, in his quiet preacher-like way, said to him: "My 
friend, I knew you were poor, or I would not have applied to you. The 
poor man, always kind and charitable, expects to receive his reward in 
heaven." 

"Heaven? heaven?" the man replied, "I dunno about that!" 

"Why," said the Colonel, "don't you believe there is a heaven?" 

"Well, I dunno," was the reply. 

" Do you not believe, then," asked the Colonel sharply and severely, 
"there is a hell?" 

"Oh yes, J know there is a hell; there is just as much needcessity for a 
hell as for a jail in Shreveport/' (Shreveport was a wild place in those 
days. ) 

This reply greatly excited the risibility of the home-going Confed- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 585 



At times I repeated aloud everything that my memory could 
recall, — prose and poetry. When opportunity offered I talked to 
the guard and sometimes had the pleasure of receiving an answer. 
Noticing a few mice creeping about the cell when they thought 
I was asleep or would not see them, I fed and tamed the little 
fellows and we became good friends. The only fault 1 found 
with them was that they were "quiet as mice." I polished my 
boots until I coidd see my face on their surface, and put in so 
much time washing my eating vessels that I chapped my hands 
and made them bleed. At the end of a few weeks I had become 
so expert in these various occupations that I could have taken a 
premium over many a professional bootblack or dishwasher. I 
bathed very frequently, carrying in the water myself. And thus 
I beguiled the weary hours of my prison life and kept them from 
enfeebling my body, enervating my mind, or depressing my nat- 
urally confident and bouyant spirit. The consciousness, too, of 
having done no wrong, and the hope of better things, was a 
mighty and sovereign tonic under such circumstances. I knew 
that many brave companions of former and happier days, par- 
ticipants in a struggle that I felt assured would be vindicated 
by the impartial judgment of after times, were like circum- 
stanced, and I was prepared to share their fate, whatever it 
might be. 

A Philadelphia paper in speaking of Col. Preston Johnston, 
described him as being a tall, commanding-looking man. with 
large gray eyes, and military mien. "While enjoying his morning 
walk on the rampart," said the paper, "he moves very rapidly 
to and fro, evidently determined that his health shall not suffer 
for all the exercise he can get." In the same article appeared a 
long reference to myself in which occurred the following : "It is 
strictly prohibited to have any intercourse with State, or in fact 
any other prisoners at the fort ; but as the commandant per- 
mitted the writer to go where he pleased, he strained a point and 
passed a few hurried words with Colonel Lubbock. The colonel 
stated that he had not been permitted to see a newspaper since his 
capture." Then follows a sketch of myself as a member of Mr. 

erates, and they greeted it with a generous guffaw, produced money, 
bought what fodder they needed for their horses, and resumed their 
journey. 



586 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Davis' staff, and my account of our capture, the article conclud- 
ing thus : "Colonel Lubbock expressed his satisfaction at the 
manner of his treatment while in our hands, and is evidently 
made as comfortable as possible under the circumstances. He 
is permitted to take a walk for half an hour each morning on the 
parapet of the fort,^°^ attended by a guard. On these occasions 
he dons a rebel colonel's coat, with three stars on the collar, a 
well-worn pair of buckskin gloves and military cap, and, thus 
attended, slowly parades the parapet during the allotted time. 
He is apparently about 50 years of age; . . . gray eyes; 
mustache, and short, thick-set figure. He is evidently a man of 
education, and very courteous and gentlemanly in his manners." 
I received a visit or two during the latter part of my imprison- 
ment. One was from Mrs. Ehodes, of California. Her husband 
was United States consul at Galveston during the days of the 
Republic. She was a friend of mine and esteemed my brother 
Tom most highly. She gave me a beautiful Texas star of the 
Texas Terry rangers.^"* I gave her in return one of my colonel's 
stars, and also one to Mrs. Schoepff, wife of the commandant of 
the fort. 

At length my brother, Capt. Henry S. Lubbock, was permitted 
to visit me with a view to securing my speedy release. He, how- 
ever, accomplished little. He informed me that many charges 
had been filed against me at Washington, alleging that, while I 
was Grovernor, I had been cruel to the Union men of Texas and 
had even caused many of them to be killed, — a foul and base 
fabrication, that probably originated with the Union men in 
Texas, one of whom, so I was informed, stated that I would not 
be permitted to return to the State, and whom, it is a great 
gratification to me to record, I made a canvass against some 
years later in behalf of a Democratic opponent of his for Con- 
gress, who was for the Union during the war, but kept his alle- 
le'' Mr. J. H. Colvin, of the Fourth Texas regiment, now one of the 
Travis county commissioners, has told the editor that while at Fort 
Delaware a prisoner he frequently saw Colonel Lubbock walking on the 
parapet. — Ed. 

104 1 regret to say that I lost this memento many years later while on 
a trip through Texas with Mr. Davis. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 587 



giance to Texas, and who was elected by an overwhelming ma- 
jority at the polls."'* 

From brother Henry I learned several interesting items from 
Texas : Governor Hurrah's call for a State convention ; its fail- 
ure to meet and the Governor's retirement to Mexico; General 
Granger's proclamation, from Galveston, of freedom to the 
slaves; the arrival of Gen. A. J. Hamilton in Texas and his 
entrance upon his duties of Provisional Governor ; that all voters, 
under the new regime, had to take the following oath : "I, A. B., 
do solemnly swear, or affirm, in the presence of Almighty God, 
that T will henceforth faithfully support and defend the Consti- 
tution of the United States and the Union of the States there- 
under, and that I will, in like manner, abide by and faithfully 
support all laws and proclamations which have been made during 
the existing rebellion with reference to the emancipation of the 
slaves, so help me God ;'' that all the Confederates in Texas were 
subscribing to the oath as a qualification for the duties of citizen- 
ship, and showing by their actions an acquiescence in the new 
order of things ; and that President Johnson's policy of restoring 
the State to its place in the Union with as little delay as possible 
was being cheerfully supported by Texans. 

I never did understand why I was detained after the general 
discharge of Confederate officers. It might have been to use me 
as a witness in the contemplated trial of Mr. Davis for treason. 
I knew that no charges could be sustained against me as the 
executive of Texas or as a Confederate officer, and, confident of 
this, I determined to interview the general commanding in my 
own behalf. At my request he visited me. I suggested to him 
that there must be some mistake about my retention in prison; 
that all officers had been released, and I had come to the con- 
clusion that the government of the United States did not know 
that I was a prisoner, and that I had a family and some creditors 
that would like to see me in Texas, where I could be of some 
benefit to them. He replied that the government was well aware 
of my imprisonment, adding : "I do not know but that any day 
I may receive an order to have you shot." Like some of the pub- 
lic prints, perhaps he thought the government might see proper 

1°^ Governor Lubbock refers to E. J. Davis, who was a candidate for 
Congress against Hon. John Hancock. — Ed. 



58S LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



to strike terror in the hearts of our people by the execution of a 
certain number of prominent Confederates. 

Whatever he meant, I met him half way. "I see that the gov- 
ernment is visiting upon the people of the South great hardships, 
loss of citizenship, and other cruelties," I replied. "Now, if the 
authorities in power wish to punish somebody, why not select a 
few of the distinguished men of the South from each State and 
shoot or hang them, relieving the masses; and should they see 
proper to select me as one from Texas, I am ready and willing. 
It would make good reading in history." 

He then said : "I can do no good writing to the Secretary of 
War. He will communicate about you in due time." 

I concluded the interview by asking permission to write my- 
self. He assented, and about the 1st of jSTovember, 1865, I wrote 
to Mr. Stanton, in substance, who I was ; my rank in the army ; 
how I Avas captured (that I was captured with my uniform on, 
performing the duties of an officer) ; that I had heard there were 
charges preferred against me and on file; that if such was the 
case, I desired to be taken to Washington at once and confronted 
with the accusation and my accusers ; that there was no founda- 
tion in fact back of the charges ; that my being longer kept in 
confinement could be of no possible service to the government, 
but on the contrary would entail useless expense; and, lastly, 
that 1 wished to return to my home to support my family and 
to pay my debts. 

The Masons also took prompt measures in my favor, forward- 
ing papers by a Mason to the order in Washington City in order 
that tiiey might be brought to the attention of the government. 
This caused my wife to look with favor upon my Masonic friends, 
and when I was released and returned to tell her that I had re- 
ceived many benefits from being a member of the order, she 
seemed to relent, and from that time to her death she appeared 
reconciled to Masonry, much to my gratification. 

In about three weeks General SchoepfP received an order to 
discharge me. I was given no explanation of the whys and 
wherefores of ray long detention or of my liberation, and I asked 
none.^*'" 

106 Tj^g news soon spread by wire to Houston. The Telegraph, in an- 
nouncing my liberation in its issue of November 27, 1865, said: "We 
are exceedingly gratified to be able to inform our readers that ex-Gov- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 589 



The things that 1 surrendered were all returned to me on my 
leaving the prison, with the exception of a fine gold pen, which 
was reported lost. The derringers I j)resented to Mr. W. B. 
Worth am after I became State Treasurer. 

I divided the gold with those of my companions captured with 
me who needed money, — good Confederates, who served from 
first to last. I found no Confederate government to which I 
could report when I was discharged from prison, and the Federal 
government had no right whatever to it. Our party made no 
terms of surrender. The amount left on hand would not pay 
me for my Kentucky horse, taken when I was captured. ^°^ 

Judge John H. Reagan, who was released several months be- 
fore I was, said to me in the course of conversation not long 
since : ^'When calling upon President Johnson, immediately 
after my release, to get my parole papers changed, I asked for 
permission to visit Mr. Davis, which was denied. I also asked 
for your release, whereupon Mr. Johnson told me that you were 
charged with murder. I immediately answered : 'Governor 
Lubbock is incapable of such a thing, and I demand for him a 
trial. He can disprove the charges.' " No doubt what Reagan 
said helped to influence those in authority to release me without 
going through the troublesome farce of a trial. My good friend 
Reagan, God bless him ! was as true to me then as when, a few 
months before, he stood ready, with hand under his coat on his 
sixshooter, to take a part if the miserable fellows who tried to 
rob me after I was captured had attempted to kill me, as they 
threatened. 

I was held in solitary confinement in one of the iron-bound 
rooms of Fort Delaware, with guards over me the entire time, for 
about eight months. 

I have described how the rich government of the United States 
treated her prisoners after the restoration of peace ; and yet some 
of their officials and people are still harping upon and abusing 

ernor Lubbock, of this State, who has been confined in Fort Delaware 
ever since last May, was released on parole last Thursday and is now, 
we hope and trust, on his way home. He will be welcomed by many 
warm friends with sincere joy." 

^"'^ I do not know whether or not the story got out years later (during 
my canvass for State Treasurer), of the obstinacy with which I protected 
that government gold. If it did, I doubt not it got me many a vote. 



590 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



the Confederate authorities for not feeding the Federal prisoners 
with fare that many of our best citizens and soldiers could not 
command during the war, and this, too, notwithstanding the 
well-known facts that our ports were closed, our country devas- 
tated, and that we persistently, but unsuccessfully, demanded an 
exchange. I think it is about time for these senseless detractors 
of the South to cease their railing, for the more the matter is 
probed the more will be the discredit reflected on the Federal 
authorities. 

When my mind reverts to Major Wirz, whom they hung for 
cruelty to prisoners at Andersonville, who struggled to do the 
best he could for his prisoners while our army was suffering for 
food and medicines,^*^® and who refused at the last day a respite 
offered to him if he would implicate Mr. Davis in the alleged 
severities at Andersonville, saying "I would not, to save my life, 
tell a falsehood," I am convinced that many a man has been wor- 
shiped who was not made of as good hero-stuff as he. 

When I was discharged I was furnished, at my request, with 
transportation to Washington, D. C, where I wished to have 
my parole papers changed. Immediately upon my release I 
started for Washington, by way of Wilmington and Baltimore, 
in company with my brother Henry. We arrived there at 6 :30 
a. m. the following day and registered at Delmonico's, on Penn- 
sylvania Avenue. On the 25th, after consultation with a Texas 
friend, George White, I decided to call on Secretary of War 
Stanton. Presenting myself without introduction to the adju- 
tant-general in charge of his office, I asked to see the Secretary. 
The adjutant told me that if I would wait he would secure me 
an interview ; that Mr. Stanton was very busy with General But- 
ler and Governor Hahn. 

The ante-room was full of people who had come in before me ; 
but I had no other business, and took a seat to bide my time. In 
a short while the Louisiana ghouls (Butler and Hahn) came out, 
and the adjutant-general very kindly gave me precedence of 
others in waiting, and showed me into Mr. Stanton. I told the 
Secretary my parole required me to go to Houston and there to 
remain, subject to the orders of the President. I explained to 

108 They even refused to allow us to purchase medicines within their 
lines for gold, or to send medicines to us to be used exclusively for their 
own prisoners and to be administered by their own surgeons. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 591 



him that 1 was a farmer and cattle dealer, and lived in the coun- 
try, and had no home at Houston. He accordingly changed the 
papers. Finding him well disposed, I told him I would proh- 
ably resume my former business, and if so I would wish to visit 
New Orleans frequently. He then incorporated that permission 
in my papers, whereupon I thanked him and bade him adieu. 

My Texas friends, A. W. Terrell and others, then in Washing- 
ton, were greatly surprised at my success in being so promptly 
accorded what I requested. 

Among others whom I met in Washington were Simeon Hart ; 
Judge Lem D. Evans, who had very kindly interested himself in 
my case; my friend Tom Howard and his family, and Judge 
Burnet, who expressed himself as delighted at seeing me at 
liberty. 

The next thing was to have my transportation changed. It 
provided for a sea voyage from New York to Galveston. My 
friend Maj. Tom Howard accompanied me to the quartermaster- 
general, who, after some persuasion on my part, gave me railroad 
transportation to Cairo, 111., steamboat transportation to New 
Orleans, and ship passage from the latter place to G-alveston. 

On the 27th Henry left for Philadelphia en route home.^"'* 

The 28th being cabinet day, I failed to see President Johnson, 
but on the 29th had a short interview with him. His reception 
of me was kindly and cordial, and in parting he told me to go 
home and do the best I could "to harmonize the people and for- 
get the past." 

I took the train for New York at 11 :30 a. m., December 1st, 
reached the city at 6 :30 p. m., registered at the New York Hotel, 
and, taking a stroll about town, met many Texans. I visited 
Central Park, Brooklyn, and other points of interest on the od, 
did some shopping on the 4th, and at 9 a. m. on the 5th left for 
Cairo, via the Jersey Central Railway, and was at last fairly on 
my way home, to which my heart fondly turned, and from which 
I had now been absent more than two years. 

Passing through Harrisburg, Pittsburg, and Cincinnati, I ar- 
rived at Cairo at 6 p. m. on the 7th, and went at once on board 
the steamboat R. W. Arthur. 

One of my fellow passengers down the Mississippi was Hon. 

^•"' I did not see my brother Henry till I reached Texas. 



592 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS, 



A. J. Donelson, United States charge d'affaires in Texas during 
the days of the Republic, jDrominent in connection with annexa- 
tion, and a very pleasant gentleman and traveling companion. 

After a safe and tolerably pleasant journey I arrived in Gal- 
veston. From thence I proceeded to Houston, and had a most 
happy meeting with Mrs. Lubbock on Saturday, December 16, 
1865. I found her pleasantly situated in Commodore Leon 
Smith's house, which she jointly occupied with Mrs. James 
Eeiley. 

Thus ended my captivity and long absence from home. I was 
once more on Texas soil. My old friends, including E. H. Gush- 
ing, former editor of the Telegraph, '^'^^ gave me a most hearty 
welcome back to Texas ; but the changed aspect of things revived 
the past and made me sad. The din of war had ceased and the 
blue had supplanted the gray. Everywhere United States sol- 
diers could be seen moving around with the air of conquerors, 
and we, the once free citizens of once free Texas, could only speak 
of governmental affairs with bated breath. The streets of Hous- 
ton and other cities in the State were crowded with lazy negroes, 
coming to the military headquarters for rations, clothing, and 
everything else they could secure. The long war with a close 
blockade had deprived our people of many necessaries of civilized 
life, and on its termination there was a large importation of 
goods which sold readily at high prices in greenbacks. Texans 
found markets for their stock, and there was a general revival of 
business. 

I very soon, however, realized it was not the Texas I had left, 
and in many respects I was not the same Texan. 

A stray copy of the Mexican Times falling into my hands, I 
was surprised to learn that ex-Gov. Henry W. Allen, of Louis- 
iana, was its editor, and, in reading further, to learn that Seiior 
M. F. Maury, of scientific and Confederate fame, was chief of 
colonization in Maximilian's empire, and that our gallant Gen. 

1 1 " The Houston T'e^e^'rapA of December 18, 1865, contained the fol- 
lowing: 

"We had the pleasure on Saturday of welcoming home our friend 
F. R. Lubbock, who is just released from Fort Delaware. He comes 
home in good health and spirits and, according to the New York Herald, 
a loyal supporter of the Union. Like other arrant and rampant rebels, 
he is glad to get out of war, out of politics, and out of public life. His 
many friends will join us in bidding him a hearty welcome home." 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 59S 



J. B. Magruder was also a seiior in the empire and chief of the 
Colonization Land Office. There also appeared in the paper no- 
tices of General Price, Judge Perkins, of Louisiana; ex-Gover- 
nors Murrah, of Texas, Polk, of Missouri, and ?Iarris, of Tennes- 
see, who, accepting the inducements held out by Maximilian, had 
settled in Mexico ; and a glowing circular from Ghief of Colon- 
ization Maury as to the advantages of living in Mexico and the 
improving prospects of the empire, stating in reference to Con- 
federate colonies : "Bryant, from Arkansas, has established a 
colony in Chihuahua ; Mitchell, of Missouri, another on the Rio 
Verde, in the department of San Luis Potosi ; and Terry, of 
Texas, another in Jalisco. They rent at first, with the privilege 
of purchase at a future time at a stated price." 

Col. A. W. Terrell was a participant in this emigration of Con- 
federate officers to Mexico. When I met him at Washington he 
had but recently returned from that country. Confederate colon- 
ists, perhaps, would have saved the empire, had Maximilian been 
true to his pledges; but under the influence of his Mexican ad- 
visers, who dreaded all Americans, whether Federal or Confed- 
erate, the emperor became jealous, and failed in good faith to his 
immigrants. The colony soon fell to pieces. The empire did not 
long survive. 

Gov. Z. B. Vance, of North Carolina, said, in 1865, to the 
ex-Confederate soldiers : 

"The best test of the best heroism now, is a cheerful and loyal 
submission to the powers and events established by our defeat 
and a ready obedience to the Constitution and laws of our coun- 
try. . . . The greatest campaign for which soldiers ever 
buckled on armor is now before you. The drum beats and the 
bugle sounds to arms to repel invading poverty and destitution, 
which have seized our strongholds and are waging war, cruel and 
ruthless, upon our women and children. . . . The noblest 
soldier now is he that, with ox and plow, pitches his tent against 
the waste places of his fire-blasted home and swears that from its 
ruins shall arise another like unto it. . . . This is a be- 
sieging of fate itself; a hand to hand struggle with the stern 
columns of calamity and despair; but the God of Nature hath 
promised that it shall not fail when courage, faith, and industry 
sustain the assailant." 

This was the common sentiment of all our great leaders, and 
38 



594 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



events proved that it was also shared by the private soldiers. 
Eschewing politics, the old Confederates went to work with a 
will to repair their shattered fortunes. 

If their love of country, bravery in battle, endurance in camp 
and on the march, and Spartan fortitude in the hour of disaster 
are sufficient to challenge the admiration of all time, the wonder- 
ful racial reserA^e force and capability of meeting and surmount- 
ing hard conditions that they now displayed and that soon 
enabled them to turn defeat into practical victory, and to lay 
the foundations for a new and more opulent civilization, domi- 
nated by themselves, despite every effort of the victors to prevent 
it, make them greater than their conquerors. In making up the 
final verdict of history, all this will be accepted as conclusive 
evidence that as a people they might be conquered on the battle- 
field by force of overwhelming numbers, but that in the domain 
of mind they were the arbiters of their own destinies, and in- 
vincible. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 595 



CHAPTER THIETY-THREE. 

Beginning Life Anew — Settlement of Debts — Removal to Galveston — 
Beef Packery — Heavy Losses — Business Tour to Europe — With Ex- 
President Davis in Britain and France — Return Home. 

Mrs. Lubbock and I, as well as others, had to begin anew. We 
had no home, as our dwelling had been burned ; our negroes were 
all gone; but our land remained, and several thousand head of 
cattle. Surely many others, thought I, are in a worse condition. 
Besides, I am healthy and strong and only 50 years of age, and 
have time enough left me, perhaps, to attain our former station. 
A canvass was going on for the convention called by Governor 
Hamilton, but I took no part in that, for I was disfranchised, 
and was busy day and night with my private affairs. 

Having determined to first look after my cattle interests, I 
secured board at Mrs. Harris', in Harrisburg, whither we re- 
moved in a few weeks. This was convenient enough, my ranch 
being only three miles distant. 

I soon tired of ranch life, and, having a competent stock- 
keeper, I determined to return to Houston and start an auction 
and commission business. 

My adopted son, T. IT. Lubbock, was doing nothing, and to 
give him an opportunity, I associated him with me and estab- 
lished the house of F. R. Lubbock & Son. I rented a small house 
for us to live in, he having married during the latter part of the 
war. 

Afterwards I procured sufficient lumber from brother Henry, 
on a debt, to build a residence, and paid for its erection $150, 
and we all occupied it. This was a considerable let down from 
the executive mansion, but it was a satisfaction to me to know 
that I owed no man for a fine house, like many others, and that 
I lived entirely within my income. The greatest expense I had 
to meet was the storehouse rent. That was $200 per month — for 
a one-story brick, twenty-five by eighty feet. 

I struggled along, however, doing a small business and living 
economically. I had no help but the occasional service of a negro 
boy. During the first year I had no fire in the store and I did 
not keep a chair for fear of loafers. An auction and commission 



596 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



business has a great attraction for idlers. I was determined not 
to furnish them any special inducements, and in carrying out 
that determination had to deny myself some comforts. 

I was heavily in debt and my creditors began to press me for 
payment. The chief creditor was my brother, Capt. Wm. M. 
Lubbock, from whom I had borrowed $15,000 in gold before the 
war and invested it in cattle. I offered at $13,000, in part pay- 
ment, my property in the city of Houston, still known as Lub- 
bock's Grove. I refused $10,000 for it, and delivered to him 3000 
head of cattle in full liquidation of the debt. This payment and 
others seriously affected my stock interests ; but it was very grati- 
fying to know that I owed no man anything. 

The auction business at Houston not proving profitable, I 
went to Galveston, opened a house there under the same firm 
name, in connection with the Houston house, and was shortly 
thereafter honored by election to the presidency of the Galveston 
Chamber of Commerce. 

Some years later I had a lot of cattle rendered at the Dickin- 
son Bayou Packery, run by P. A. Huffman. The tallow, hides, 
and beef hams found a ready market, and, the enterprise proving 
very successful, I determined to extend operations with Huff- 
man as manager, and, carrying out that purpose, established a 
beef packery at old Anahuac, at the mouth of the Trinity. I 
sold my cattle ranch and horses to procure the necessary capital 
to embark in these ventures. I had to entrust the management 
of the packery entirely to others, and in two years time lost more 
than $40,000. The accumulations of years swept away, I had 
to begin anew the struggle for financial independence. Fortu- 
nately, at this unpropitious juncture in my affairs, I obtained 
remunerative employment with my friends Allen, Poole & Co., 
large stockholders in the New York and Texas Beef Preserving 
Company. I secured several valuable contracts for them from 
the United States naval authorities, and, in pursuance of a mis- 
sion entrusted to me by them, set sail for Europe on the Cunard 
steamer Scotia, in Jnly, 1872, accompanied by my wife.^" 

^11 Mr. Clemens (Mark Twain) was a passenger aboard the vessel. 
The impression made upon me by his person and manner was not flat- 
tering-. He was, however, represented as an invalid, and I could readily 
believe that he was. I think his liver must have hurt him all the way 
over, for he was very cross about everything. I most certainly would 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 597 



Arriving in Liverpool and securing quarters at an excellent 
hotel, I called at once on Messrs. C. Grimshaw & Co., a large and 
respectable commission house that had existed for over fifty 
years, and to whom I had letters. Mr. Thompson and Mr. Lang- 
ham, who then constituted the firm, showed me many appreciated 
attentions, readily entered into a contract to handle our goods, 
and made me a liberal advance. We made several pleasant ac- 
quaintances in Liverpool, among others that of the German con- 
sul, Mr. Stoess (from Alsace and Lorraine), who married Mrs. 
Jefferson Davis' youngest sister, Miss Maggie Howell, whom I was 
indeed glad to meet again. They had a beautiful residence ad- 
joining an extensive and well kept park, and seemed never to tire 
in their efforts to contribute to our pleasure. Mrs. Mcllhenny, 
the widowed sister of my friend Judge George Goldthwaite, of 
Houston, was keeping house in Liverpool, and made things cheer- 
ful for us. Mrs. Thompson lived at a lovely little town near Liv- 
erpool, where many of the merchants' families resided. I became 
quite enamored with Liverpool ; such a busy place, with its ship- 
ping and traffic and extensive public docks ; there was a business 
air, a rush and bustle about the city that captivated me. I found 
many Americans there engaged in trade — a number of them ex- 
Confederates, and doing well. 

After a trip into Wales I proceeded to London over a line of 
splendidly constructed railway, the tracks thoroughly ballasted 
and resting upon a roadbed of almost solid rock. 

I was favorably impressed with the evident precautions taken 
by the railway company (a type of the others, I suppose) to pre- 
vent loss of life and accidents and to promote the comfort of 
travelers. I was informed that every passenger aboard was guar- 
anteed a seat — a comfortable arm chair. Another agreeable fea- 
ture was the uniform courtesy of the railway employes (which 
might well be enjoined and sedulously patterned after in other 
lands). 

The immensity of London has been often described, but can 
only be appreciated by those who for the first time visit the 

never have taken him for the great humorist he is and the entertaining 
writer we know him to be. He was a great disputant on the ship, he 
and the captain often having serious discussions at the table; and when- 
ever he was beaten at cards, quoits, or any other of the many games 
played at sea, he became impatient and morose. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



world's great metropolis. Greater than Babylon or Nineveh of 
old, there goes up from it during the busy hours of labor the 
mingled roar of countless industries. 

A great traveler has said that he felt more lonely in the streets 
of London than in the solitudes that surround Lake Albert Ny- 
anza. This, however, was not my experience. Business affairs 
required much of my attention. These disposed of, Mrs. Lub- 
bock and I devoted a portion of our time to paying and receiving 
calls, and what was left, outside of the hours of rest, we employed 
in sight-seeing, making numerous excursions on the underground 
railway and visiting the Tower, St. Paul's, Westminister Abbey, 
Parliament House, the Crystal Palace, Zoological Gardens, and 
a thousand and one objects and places of interest that, to those 
who see them for the first time, lead the tourist on with an un- 
satiated and growing curiosity. 

My favorable opinion of England and the English people was 
greatly strengthened. It is certainly a well governed land, a land 
of law as well as liberty, abreast in social institutions and com- 
mercial methods with the spirit of the age. 

We went from London to Calais, and thence to Paris. ^^- We 
arrived in the city at night. The streets were brilliantly lighted. 
Everywhere were to be seen vestiges of the late war with Prussia 
— in the mutilation or destruction of public buildings and works 
of art. Each day of our stay, after business matters were at- 
tended to, Mrs. Lubbock and I hired a cab and drove about visit- 
ing places of interest, and in that way acquired in a short time 
an excellent knowledge of the city. Mrs. Lubbock greatly en- 
joyed these excursions, the more so as her father was a Parisian 
and she spoke French fluently. 

I was pleased to meet in Paris Col. A. Dudley Mann, formerly 
Assistant Secretary of State under President Buchanan, and later 
one of our Confederate agents abroad. Expatriating himself 
after the war, he had become a permanent resident of the French 

^^® I have crossed and recrossed the Atlantic Ocean several times; I 
have made many voyag-es m the Gulf of Mexico, and in all my life I 
have never seen such sea sickness as I witnessed in crossing the English 
Channel on this occasion. Mrs. Lubbock and I, clothed in sou'westers, 
occupied seats on the deck of the vessel, although it was repeatedly 
swept by heavy seas, preferring such discomfort to being cooped up in 
the stifling and ill-smelling cabin. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 599 



capital. He called upon us often and showed us many kind at- 
tentions. 

From France, extending our tour through Brussels, a minia- 
ture Paris, we passed over Belgium (the old battlefield of Eu- 
rope) to the new German empire. Cologne and Strasburg were 
found to be very interesting cities, the latter specially noted for 
its great cathedral and clock. Hurriedly visiting Bremen and 
Hamburg, cities of historic renown, we then domiciled for a while 
at Berlin, the great German capital. 

Germany is one of the most wonderful of modern nations. 
Prussia, the controlling power in the empire, sprung into prom- 
inence in the eighteenth century under the wise administration 
of Frederick the Great. With checkered fortunes, she has been 
ever since forging to the front. By her victories over Austria in 
1866, she seized the first place in the Germanic confederacy, ex- 
cluding her beaten rival. Her magnificent triumph over France 
in 1870 cemented her power in the unification of Germany, with 
Prussia at the head — a consummation due to Bismarck's states- 
manship. Von Moltke's generalship, the unconquerable valor of 
the German armies, and the wisdom of King Wilhelm. At this 
time (1900) Germany has extensive colonies in Africa and else- 
where, a great navy to guard her world-wide interests, and is 
acknowledged to be the first power in continental Europe. 

The German army numbers about 800,000 men, but the mili- 
tary budget costs the Germans less than what we pay for pen- 
sions. 

We returned from Germany to Paris, and thence to Liverpool ; 
set sail for the United States in December, 1872 ; reached New 
York without special incident, and in due time were once more 
ensconced in our pleasant Texas home. 

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Davis in New York City 
in July, 1873, and it transpired that it was his intention, as well 
as mine, to make a trip to Europe ; but, that while I was to sail 
from New York at a time uncertain, he would return home and 
shortly thereafter take a French or German steamer at New 
Orleans. So we agreed that we would meet in England. 

I called at his rooms July 12th, and before I left he handed me 
a photograph of himself and the following note to Mrs. Lubbock: 

"Dear Mrs. Lubbock : Allow me to offer to your acceptance, 
as a friend who may be willing to preserve it, a picture of myself, 



600 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



and if it ever looks at you with less than the most affectionate 
regard, be sure it is not true to the original. My true and gallant 
friend, your husband, who will hand it to you, can give you its 
history. Ever sincerely and most respectfully, Jefferson Davis." 
The accompanying engraving is a reproduction of this picture 
of Mr. Davis and of a photograph of Winnie Davis taken about 
the same time. 



WINNIE. 




^^I^j 








^^^^^I^^^^H 




■■ 






'■m' ^^^^^H 




p' 


J ^s^ia8^-^«.;;^^^B^H 




^ 





JEFFERSON DAVIS. 



The history of the photograph of ]\Ir. Davis is as follows : The 
card of a lady was sent up to him, and on being invited in she 
handed him the picture, saying that she had colored it and con- 
sidered it a fine piece of work; that she had prepared it ex- 
pressly for him, and thought it was worth five dollars. He with- 
out hesitation ffave her the money. She thanked him and im- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 601 



mediately left. He then turned to me, said that she was prob- 
ably in distress, and, if his surmise was correct, he was very glad 
that he had been able to help her, wrote the note to ]klrs. Lub- 
bock and handed it to me, together with the photo. Mrs. Lub- 
bock greatly prized the picture and always gave it the place of 
honor in our home, — a place that it has ever since retained. 

I left iSTew York in December, and in due time reached Liver- 
pool, where I found Mr. Davis with Mrs. Stoess and family. We 
later went to London and thence to Paris. In the former city 
we had the pleasure of dining with Judah P. Benjamin and of 
hearing him spoken of everywhere as one of the ablest lawyers in 
England. In Paris Mr. Davis was the guest of Col. A. Dudley 
Mann, and I secured apartments near by. The first Sunday we 
were there I called after my early meal, supposing Mr. Davis 
would wish to attend church, knowing it to be his constant habit. 
Upon inquiry I found they were not going out, and they invited 
me to remain, as the service would be held in the house. The 
Episcopal service was read and religious conversation indulged 
in. The explanation given me for not attending church was that 
during the war the Episcopal clergyman, through the influence 
of the United States minister (Mr. Dayton), refused to recog- 
nize the Confederacy in his prayers, thereby offending Confed- 
erate sympathizers. Colonel Mann determined never to put his 
foot in the Episcopal church at Paris again, and I presume he 
never did. Mr. Davis and I attended services at the Madeline 
the following Sunday, one of the most elegant of the many fine 
church edifices in the city. It is said to be able to accommodate 
10,000 people. A few seats appeared to be reserved for mem- 
bers, and for others chairs were furnished, for which the charge 
was one and two sous, according to locality. The music was 
grand. On the occasion of our attendance, in addition to the 
immense organ, they had a fine string band. 

Marshal MacMahon was President of France ; Louis Joseph 
Buffet, president of the Assembly (consisting of 738 members), 
then in session. We were present at a meeting of the Assembly 
when some important question was under discussion. We had 
cards that procured us good seats. The hall was crowded with 
ladies. I have witnessed proceedings in the gold room of the 
stock exchange in Xew York, the Congress of the United States. 
State Legislatures, and many Democratic conventions; but I wit- 



602 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



nessed more excitement, heard more noise, and saw more tierce 
demonstrations of apparent anger in the French Assembly that 
day than I had ever seen before at any public gathering. There 
were no blows exchanged, however, and, while it seemed to me 
that some of the members must inevitably come together, noth- 
ing of a tragic nature occurred, much to my relief, and the ses- 
sion came to a close in a whirlwind of gesticulations and deafen- 
ing vociferations. A deep calm succeeded, frowns disappeared 
from the faces of the members, and all gaily repaired to the near- 
est cafes for refection. 

Mr. Davis had several pleasant friends in Paris with whom 
he passed the time ; among them Major Weston, a Baltimorean, 
who had been one of our agents abroad during the war, and Mr. 
Erlanger, a banker, who married a daughter of Mr. Davis' 
friend, John Slidell, of Louisiana. 

I met here, also, Prince Polignac, one of our Confederate 
generals, distinguished in the Eed Eiver campaign. After the 
war between the States he returned to France and lent his sword 
to his country in the Franco-Prussian war. He seemed glad to 
see me and referred pleasantly to some incidents connected with 
our campaigning together in Louisiana. 

Mr. Davis and I returned to London, where •! left him and 
went on to Liverpool, it being understood that he would join me 
there, and we would then go by sea to Glasgow, Scotland. 

In pursuance of this agreement we in due time found our- 
selves in Glasgow, guests of Mr. James Smith, who many years 
before had been a near neighbor of Mr. Davis in Mississippi, had 
returned to Scotland prior to 1861, and grown wealthy there, and 
during the war sent Mr. Davis several tine cannon and equip- 
ments as a present to the Confederate States. Mr. Smith and 
his family of grown sons and daughters were charming people, 
and our visit to them was one continued round of pleasure. 

We visited many noted spots in Scotland, called on the Misses 
Begg, nieces of the poet Burns, at their pretty cottage near Kirk 
Alloway, viewed the ship yards on the Clyde, and, as we jour- 
neyed from place to place, Mr. Davis greatly added to the pleas- 
ure I experienced by his familiarity with Scottish history, poetry, 
and fiction — especially his many and apt quotations from the 
writings of Sir Walter Scott, who, more than any other, has 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 603 



woven a halo of romantic interest aronnd everything pertaining 
to Scotland. 

We returned safely to Liverpool. After remaining there some 
time I bade Mr. Davis good-bye, as he preferred going direct to 
New Orleans, and I was compelled to return to New York. 

I arrived safely in New York after a stormy voyage, and 
reached Galveston much improved in health by my seven months' 
trip abroad. 

While I had made large sales in England and Germany, where 
I spent pleasant weeks, and had put in very good shape the 
project of getting up the limited company that my employers 
desired to organize, the latter undertaking was not completed be- 
fore the firm of Allen, Poole & Co. failed, and that brought the 
entire business to an end. 



604 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR. 

Reconstruction — Restoration of White Supremacy — Tax Collector — 
Ex-President Davis in Texas — His Welcome at Dallas — A Candidate 
Again— Troubles in Van Zandt County — Democratic Ticket in 1878 — 
Elected State Treasurer. 

I am not disposed to write of the times when Texas was writh- 
ing tinder the heel of military despotism and vultures were prey- 
ing upon her vitals."^ Let it suffice to say for this gloomy 
period, that the people of Texas in convention assembled at Aus- 
tin, in 1865, accepted President Johnson's policy; acknowledged 
the supremacy of the Constitution of the United States ; repealed 
the ordinance of secession; repudiated the Texas war debt, and 
modified the Constitution to suit the changed condition of the 
negroes; that a State government was organized, with the con- 
servative J. W. Throckmorton as Governor, and United States 
senators and congressmen elected; that the Republican majority 
in both houses of Congress refused to admit our delegates to 
their seats on account of their being Democrats ; that the domi- 
nant party overthrew all the State governments, including ours, 
erected under the authority of President Johnson, and remanded 
them to military rule, our State officials being supplanted by 
military appointees; and that the congressional plan of recon- 
structing the Union contemplated Republican ascendancy at 

118 One of her wisest and most skillful defenders then was Col. R. W. 
Loughery, owner and editor of the Daily Times at Jetferson, and the 
Texas Bepublican at Marshall, an able and daring writer, whose papers 
exposed and denounced every iniquity that was practiced or attempted, 
brought about the downfall of the military commission established at 
Jefferson to try citizens by drum-head courtmartial, and aided greatly 
in the overthrow of the Davis regime and in hastening the restoration 
of control of the State government to the people. He had been editor 
of the Texas Republican from 1849, was one of those who organized the 
Democratic party in Texas in 1856, had attained wide influence and 
reputation before the war, and did some good newspaper work in the 
later years of his life, but his most brilliant labors and services were 
performed during .the reconstruction era. These should never be for- 
gotten. He was born in Nashville, Tenn., February 2, 1820; came to 
Texas in 1848 ; was consul at Acapulco, Mexico, during Cleveland's first 
administration, and died April 26, 1894, at Marshall, Texas. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 605 



every cost in all the States under military rule. In the prelimin- 
ary steps of congressional reconstruction, intelligence and worth 
were proscribed and a premium put on ignorance and barbarism. 
All discriminations were against the white race. The negroes voted 
en masse, and enough whites were disfranchised to ensure a Re- 
publican majority in the convention. At the election for State 
officers under the new Constitution E. J. Davis was counted in 
for Governor b}^ the exclusion of several Democratic counties that 
gave majorities for A. J. Hamilton. The Republican State gov- 
ernment under Davis and the Twelfth Legislature^^^^ were the 
most intolerable ever known in Texas. Venality and tyranny were 
rampant, all the safeguards of liberty were overthrown, the peo- 
ple harassed by a negro police, and property threatened finally 
with confiscation. The taxpayers' convention at Austin in Sep- 
tember, 1871, composed of representative men without distinc- 
tion of party, exposed the maladministration of the Republican 
party, and published their report to the world. In consequence 
of this, relief began in the Thirteenth Legislature in the repeal 
or modification of the more odious laws. In the election of 1873 
Richard Coke and R. B. Hubbard, the Democratic standard bear- 
ers, were, respectively, chosen Governor and Lieutenant-Gover- 
nor by about 50,000 majority. The Republicans, to retain power, 
trumped up a case of illegal voting and brought it before the 
Supreme Court on a writ of habeas corpus. The pliant court, 
assuming jurisdiction, rendered the opinion desired, viz. : that 
the election was illegal and that no offense had been committed. 
The Fourteenth Legislature, despite a prohibitory order of Gov- 
ernor Davis, met at the capitol and proceeded to organize. Davis 
appealed to President Grant for military aid, and, when his call 
for LTnited States troops was refused, delivered the election re- 
turns to a committee of the Legislature and retired from the con- 
test. Richard Coke was declared the Governor-elect on the count 
of the votes and at once inaugurated, night though it was. 

The morning of January 14, 1874, dawned upon Texas re- 
deemed from radical rule, upon Texas free and at peace for the 
first time since 1861. With the restoration of white supremacy 

113a Yet there were some good men in this Legislature; among these, 
Ira Evans, the Speaker of the House, who was deposed from his office 
for refusing to countenance the revolutionary schemes of his party. 
Mr. Evans is at this time a prominent and honored citizen of Austin. 



606 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



and Democratic rule, Texas started anew on a prosperous career. 
For this deliverance we are under perpetual obligations to the 
Northern Democracy, who sympathized with us in our oppres- 
sion and helped us in our struggle every way they could. All 
honor to the liberty-loving Democracy of the North * 

In 1875 an election came on for the selection of a mayor for 
the city of Galveston. Colonel Cannon, Colonel Stone, Captain 




r. B. LUBBOCK, GALVESTON. 



Fulton, and Mr. Leonard were spoken of in that connection. 
Several of my friends desired me to run for the Democratic 
nomination, and I consented. A question arose as to what 
method should be adopted in making the nomination. My 
friends generally favored the old-time convention, while Fulton's 
friends wanted a primary election. When the latter method was 
adopted, Cannon and Stone withdrew from the race, and Leon- 
ard would not submit his name to be voted on in the primary. So 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 607 



that left the race between Fulton and myself, Leonard reserving 
himself as an independent candidate. 

I went into the contest with the hearty sni3port of many strong 
friends and with good prospects of success ; but the old story of 
my having once advised the burning of Galveston, and that my 
heart was really in Houston, being revived, I was beaten and 
Captain Fulton was declared the choice of the Democratic party 
as a candidate for mayor of the city. 

Leonard had been mayor several times, was very popular, and 
it required prompt and united action to defeat him. Many of 
my supporters, charging fraud in the election, urged me to run 
as an independent candidate. Of course I refused. Having 
taken my chances at the primary election, I told them there was 
but one course for me to pursue, and that was to declare myself 
positively for the Democratic nominee and support him heartily. 
Accordingly, that very night we had a grand turnout at a meet- 
ing at which George Mason, Colonel Cannon, Seth Shepard, 
Colonel Stone, and myself delivered speeches urging the people 
to elect Fulton. Some of my friends were a little vexed then, 
but they soon saw that my policy was the better one. Fulton was 
elected March, 1875, and in a few days afterwards sent a mes- 
sage, by a friend, tendering me the tax-collectorship of the city, 
and stating that he hoped I would accept. I accepted, and filled 
the place under Fulton and his successor. Stone, for three years. 

On the occasion of Mr. Davis' visit to Texas in May, 1875, I 
bade him welcome at Galveston and attended him to Houston, 
where he was the guest of Major Franklin for several days. At 
Austin the ex-President was received with every demonstration 
of respect by all classes of people. 

While in the city Mr. Davis, attended by Judge Terrell and 
myself, visited the State cemetery. The ex-President stood alone 
for some moments by the grave of Gen. A. S. Johnston, con- 
templating it in silence. The general and ex-President were very 
close friends in life, and Mr. Davis may have been thinking of 
the virtues of the dead hero and of the loss to the Confederacy 
by his martyrdom to the cause. Judge Terrell and myself re- 
mained at a respectful distance, and when Mr. Davis rejoined 
us his eyes were moist with tears, occasioned perhaps by sad 
memories of the past. 

At Dallas he was given a royal reception. The people made 



608 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



the day of his arrival a gala day. The public buildings were 
handsomely decorated, and numerous floral arches adorned the 
streets. One of the arches, I remember, contained the inscrip- 
tion "God Bless Jeff Davis," and others displayed similarly ap- 
propriate mottoes. He was received at the depot by a reception 
committee consisting of the mayor, other city officials, and 
prominent citizens, and escorted to an elegant barouche, which 
moved to the head of the long civic and military procession that 
had been formed, and the line of march was taken up for Mc- 
Coy's Grove, the bands playing the enlivening patriotic and mar- 
tial airs of the Southland and the people cheering at every step 
as the brilliant column advanced with waving banners, and be- 
neath falling flowers thrown from balconies. 

Gen. John J. Good, mayor of Dallas, delivered an eloquent 
address of welcome, to which Mr. Davis responded in his easy 
and stately style — his utterances going home to the hearts of his 
auditors, and as each flowing period was rounded, calling forth 
salvos of applause. With the skill of a great orator, and in- 
spired by genuine love for the State and its people, he reviewed 
the history of Texas, and paid a tribute to her flag, saying : "A 
man breathes freer and deeper under the Lone Star flag." 

Eeferring to the fact that Texas had emerged from the dark- 
ness of the reconstruction era and was once more a member of 
the Union and was controlled by her own people, he said that he 
hoped the Lone Star would continue forever thereafter to glitter 
in the Federal galaxy. He said that Texas would in time become 
a great exporting country, and that her people should contend 
for free trade and farmers' rights; that when that time arrived 
Buffalo Bayou would probably be deepened, as the Eiver Clyde 
had been, so as to admit the largest ships. He saw bright pros- 
pects for the people and country, and hoped that all would turn 
their faces toward the future and its possibilities, and labor to- 
gether to a common end, material prosperity and the mainten- 
ance of a government of liberty and law. 

I followed Mr. Davis in a brief speech, in which I said the 
people of the South revered him as one of the purest and noblest 
of mankind ; and much else that seemed to me suitable to the 
occasion. 

Then, while the band was playing a stirring air, H. Goslin, 
color-sergeant of the Lamar Rifles, bearing the United States 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 609 



flag, and Sergeant Cox, of the Stonewall Grays, bearing the 
Texas flag, advanced to the stand, whereupon the mayor said 
that they represented sides that were opposed in the late war, but 
that "the flag of the United States is now the flag of both the 
blue and the gray." 

Mr. Davis, being called for, delivered a short speech, in which 
he said that the brave could always find common ground to 
meet upon; that it was only the camp follower, the thief, and 
the murderer that rob the dead and pursue the living; that if 
animosities still remained, they had been engendered not by what 
had been done in the conduct of honorable warfare, but by the 
perpetration of outrages that shocked humanity; that chivalry 
should be the star to light the pathway of war ; that the United 
States flag was the creation of Southern men — our Moultrie and 
Washington — and was not, as some had said in a former time, 
when maligning the Southern people, an emblem of bleeding 
stripes, bruised flesh, and scalding tears, an ensign of oppression, 
and a cloak for crimes, — and never had been till diverted from 
its purpose. "T marched many years under its folds," said he, 
"as my father before me had done in the revolutionary war. I 
could not go against it. It was borne against us in violation of 
the Constitution. It should have been laid away during the war 
and used by neither side. God grant that it may never again 
wave over a battlefield of divided Americans ! 

"The name of Lamar^^* is familiar to me. I suppose your 
company is named in honor of Mirabeau B. Lamar. At Monte- 
rey, with a bright red vest, heedless of danger, he rushed into 
the thickest of the fray, and, with the cry of 'Brave boys, Ameri- 
cans are never afraid !' at the head of the gallant Second regi- 
ment, charged home to victory. He was an ideal Texan — a man 
of rare genius and tender affection. You, gentlemen, wear the 
blue; the Stonewalls the gray. I grew up in the blue; but I love 
the gray. I love every other color, but I love the gray the best. 
Your positions invoke no hostility, but a generous rivalry, — an 
emulation which can best perform their duty. I trust we shall 
alwa3^s have peace; but, if we must have war, let both go to- 
gether and stand side by side. . . . I am pleased and grati- 

11* This encomium, from an accomplished soldier like Jefferson 
Davis, should be considered in forming an estim.ate of Lamar. 
39 



610 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



fied to see the spirit of harmony and good will that prevails, and 
trust that it may never be broken. May you and all prove your- 
selves worthy sons of this bright and glorious commonwealth." 

The "Bonnie Blue Flag" was then played by the band. Crowds 
of children gathered around Mr. Davis, who shook their hands 
and spoke kindly words of greeting. 

Ex-Governor Throckmorton was the next speaker. He said 
that we claimed the government as much as those who wore the 
blue, that the story of the heroism displayed by both sides in the 
great struggle was the heritage and common property of the 
Americans of that and all succeeding generations, and that it 
was a notable event and augured well for the future that men of 
the North and the South had met together, in a spirit of fra- 
ternity, to welcome a great and noble man, who had been the 
leader in a cause that the people south of Mason and Dixon's line 
believed to be right, that those dwelling beyond that boundary 
had opposed, and that had been lost by the fortunes of war. 

Col. F. B. Sexton followed ex-Governor Throckmorton in a 
chaste and elegant address, which was liberally punctuated with 
applause by his auditors, and adjournment was then had for 
dinner — a sumptuous meal dispensed by Mrs. J. Peak, Miss Har- 
wood, Mrs. J. M. Stemmons, Mrs. Juliet Fowler, Mrs. Tom 
Field, Mrs. Barthalow, and other ladies. 

Among the noted visitors present were Gen. Walter P. Lane, 
Col. George W. Chilton, Col. Ed Burleson, Maj. Thomas Dugan, 
Capt. W. W. Lang, Mrs. J. M. Hurt, of Sherman, and Mrs. 
Tabitha Rhine, of McKinney. 

After dinner speeches were delivered by Capt. Ed. G. Bower, 
of the Stonewall Grays, Gen. R. M. Gano, John Henry Brown. 
W. L. Cabell, and others. 

General Gano said that the occasion was to him one of mingled 
pleasure and sorrow ; that it recalled old times and old faces and 
contrasted them with new; that he had the day before received 
intelligence of the death of Gen. John C. Breckenridge ; that he 
had long known and honored him, and loved him for his noble 
traits of character. He said that those present had assembled 
to honor the representative of the great Confederacy with which 
nearly all were, at one time, identified ; that they had not met to 
honor him for his devotion to a lost cause, but to honor moral 
worth and purity, worthy of emulation. He stated that he (Gen- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 611 



eral Gano) had resigned a seat in the Legislature, under a call 
from Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, and served under him on 
the tented field, in a cause the justice of which, with him, still 
remained undoubted; that he loved Texas, because deeds of 
worth, of gallantry, and of duty had characterized her people in 
an epoch that tried the souls of men ; and that he believed that a 
future lay before the country rich with promise. He adjured all 
who heard him to hold fast to the sheet-anchor of correct prin- 
ciples, and the young men, who must carry forward the work left 
uncompleted by hands then folded across quiet breasts, no longer 
warmed by the fires of life, to do their duty in the coming years 
as conscientiously and bravely as their fathers had in the past. 

General Gano was loudly cheered. ISFot an incident occurred 
to mar the occasion. It was one of the most delightful of a pub- 
lic nature in which I ever participated, and must have been 
deeply gratifying to Mr. Davis. 

Mr. Davis stopped over at Marshall on his way to his home at 
Memphis. 

The honors paid him during his stay in Texas bore witness to 
the fact that the human mind can not be fettered by might, and 
that the frowns of those in power can not prevent a free people 
from doing honor to their heroes, uncrowned though they be. 

As Texas was now free, I had begun to take interest in politics 
again. The Democratic State convention was held at Galveston 
in January, 1876. I attended it as a delegate, and it was the first 
time I had participated in a State convention since the one held 
in Galveston in LSGO, just prior to the National convention at 
Charleston. Joseph D. Savers, chairman of the State executive 
committee, called the convention to order. I well remember that 
M. D. K. Taylor (incomparable as a parliamentarian) acted as 
chairman of the convention with his usual ability. 

On the rostrum were some of the ancient worthies of Texas : 
Joel Robinson, one of the captors of Santa Anna ; a hero of the 
Velasco figlit, whose name I can not now recall ; S. W. Blount, 
one of the signers of the Texas declaration of independence ; the 
old veteran. Bennet Blake; ex-Gov. J. W. ("Smoky") Hender- 
son, and Dr. Ashbel Smith; and, representing the Texas of later 
times (as a State), were Gen. M. D. Ector, Maj. Joseph D. 
Sayers, now (1900) Governor of Texas, and Gen. Braxton 



612 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Bragg/^^ the stately ex-commander of the Army of Tennessee, 
then a citizen of Texas. 

Coke and Hubbard were without opposition renominated for 
Governor and Lieutenant-Governor ; H. H. Boone, for Attorney- 
General ; Stephen, H. Darden, for Comptroller ; A. J. Dorn, for 
Treasurer; J. J. Groos, for Land Commissioner; 0. M. Eoberts, 
for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Geo. F. Moore and 
Eobert S. Gould, for associate justices; M. D. Ector, C. M. Wink- 
ler, and Jno. P. White, for judges of the Court of Appeals pro- 
vided for in the proposed new Constitution. The new Constitu- 
tion to be voted on the next month was heartily endorsed, though 
that was not made a party test. 

Of those in that gathering of notable men I recall to mind 
Geo. W. Chilton, J. M. Hurt, W. H. ("Howdy") Martin, J. B. 
Chenoweth, Geo. N". Aldredge, Fred Carlton, and Jno. W. Stay- 
ton, among the presidential electors or alternates; and W. A. 
Wortham, J. J. Hill, William Hudson, T. J. Goree, Charles 
Stewart, Chas. L. Cleveland, C. B. Pearre, N. G. Shelley, Geo. 
McCormick, C. B. Kilgore, R. M. Wynne, F. B. Sexton, M. H. 
Looney, Adam R. Johnson, and Joseph Dwyer on the executive 
committee, or otherwise prominent. 

The Democratic ticket won at the polls by an overwhelming 
majority. Coke was elected to the Senate shortly after his in- 
auguration and, on taking his seat in that body, was succeeded 

115 A few months later General Bragg died from a stroke of apoplexy 
in the city of Galveston. 

11" In 1877 the peace of the State was seriously threatened by a 
county seat dispute in Van Zandt County; but happily the conservative 
good sense of the people there prevented any bloodshed. 

In counting the returns of the election held for determining the 
county seat, several boxes were thrown out on account of irregularities, 
and Wills Point was declared to be the legal county seat. The records 
were accordingly removed from Canton to Wills Point by order of the 
county commissioners court. A few months later an armed force of 
about 500 men was organized at Canton and, led by Hon.'T. J. Towles, 
a member of the Legislature, moved on Wills Point with a view of 
taking possession of the records and returning them to Canton by force, 
if necessary. Troops sent by Governor Hubbard went to the aid of the 
county authorities, and as a result the Cantonites returned to their 
homes and the records remained at Wills Point till they were returned 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 613 



by Hon. Kicliard B. Hubbard/^*' who served as Governor to the 
end of the eonstitntional term. 

At the suggestion of Judge C. L. Cleveland, and after consul- 
tation with Col. W. L. Moody/" Colonel Jemison, A. J. Walker, 
and other friends, T announced myself in the spring of 1878 as a 

to Canton by order of the commissioners court, after a decision by the 
Supreme Court that there was no law in force at the time for holding a 
county seat election. The editor was then the county judge of Van 
Zandt county. ^Ed. 

"■^Col. W. L. Moody, of Galveston, a Virginian by birth, and law 
graduate of the University of Virginia, came to Texas in 1852, and after 
practicing his profession for two years at Fairfield, in Freestone County, 
engaged in merchandising at that place with his brothers, David J. and 
Leroy F. Moody, under the firm name of W. L. Moody & Bros. At the 
beginning of the war between the States he raised a company, which 
was attached to the Seventh Texas infantry, better known as Gregg's 
regiment, and after Colonel Gregg's promotion to brigadier-general be- 
came its colonel. He was severely wounded at the siege of Jackson, 
Miss., and returned to Texas, where he was assigned to important mili- 
tary duty. He moved to Galveston in 1S6G, where for some years he 
was at the head of the well known firm of Moody, Bradley & Co., which 
did an extensive and prosperous commission business. The firm was 
changed to Moody & Jemison, one of the leading cotton firms of Galves- 
ton, and did a large business in New York. Subsequently this firm 
was merged into that of W. L. Moody & Co. At a later period he asso- 
ciated his two sons, W. L. and Frank, with him under the same firm 
name. This firm has since retained a leading position in the commer- 
cial world, and is now conducting a large cotton and oanking business 
at Galveston, and owns and operates in that city one of the largest cot- 
ton compresses in the South. 

On my becoming a citizen of Galveston in 1867 and engaging in a 
small commission business there, Colonel Moody became my friend, and 
much of my time was spent with him and his family. I soon became 
much attached to him. I considered him a model business man, full of 
intelligence, high toned, and upright in all of his business relations. As 
a result of his methods of fair dealing, his firm has always enjoyed the 
patronage and confidence of the planters, and for years has perhaps been 
the recipient of more business directly from them than any other in the 
State. He and I have always been in harmony politically, and stood 
shoulder to shoulder on leading questions, while many of my other 
friends have drifted from their Democratic moorings. Up to this good 
hour our friendship continues unbroken. 

My early formed estimate of his character remains unchanged; I 
know of none whom I more sincerely respect. I have been a witness 
to his many virtues and seen them displayed in nearly every variety of 



614 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



candidate for the Democratic nomination for State Treasurer. 
There were five candidates in the field. My opponents were well 
known and capable men, — all good business men, first-class citi- 
zens, and all of them had been Confederate soldiers. 

The convention met at Austin July 17th, and was one of the 
most exciting and memorable we have had in Texas. It was 
called to order by Joseph D. Sayers, chairman of the State Dem- 
ocratic Executive Committee. The temporary officers were: 
Chas. Stewart, chairman; Lee Hall, sergeant-at-arms, and Col. 
B. B. Paddock, secretary. Permanent organization was per- 
fected by the election of M. D. K. Taylor as chairman, George 
B. Zimpelman sergeant-at-arms, and John Bookhout secretar}\ 

The candidates for the gubernatorial nomination were Hub- 
bard, Throckmorton, and Lang, — the first then occupying the 
Governor's chair, the second strong in the affections of the peo- 
ple on account of his reconstruction record, and the last named 
backed by a strong element among the farmers of the State. 
After several ballots had been taken Lang's name was withdrawn. 

After the thirteenth ballot, which showed 804 votes for Hub- 
bard and 694 for Throclonorton, it was proposed to bring Lang 
again before the convention. Maj. W. M. ("Buck") Walton, in 
the interest of Lang, then withdrew Throckmorton and de- 
livered a speech in opposition to Hubbard that was made up of 
withering invective. Hubbard's friends, however, still stuck to 
him, the fourteenth ballot showing 812 votes for him. 654 for 
Lang, and 46 scattering. Lang was again withdrawn, and Judge 
T. J. Devine put in nomination. The fifteenth ballot showed 
807 votes for Hubbard and 637 for Devine. The eighteenth bal- 
lot (taken on Sunday) stood, Hubbard 907 and Devine 594. The 
delegates now becoming restive under the two-thirds rule, a mo- 
tion was made to substitute for it the majority rule, but was 
withdrawn. 

It now being apparent that a nomination could not be made 
under the two-thirds rule, a conference committee was appointed 
at caucus meetings held by the siipporters of Hubbard and De- 
vine and empowered to select some candidate who would be ac- 
ceptable to both factions. Several names were submitted to the 

circumstances incident to political, business, and social life, in peace 
and war, through a period of nearly half a century, and never found 
him wanting in anything to be expected of a gentleman and patriot. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 615 



committee. The first ballot taken resulted in 15 votes for John 
H. Eeagan, 2 for W. P. Ballinger, 5 for John Ireland, 3 for R. Q. 
Mills, 1 for 0. M. Roberts, and 1 for Charles Stewart. The De- 
vine men centering on Roberts as against Reagan, the second bal- 
lot stood: Reagan 9, Ireland 1, Mills 3, Roberts 16, D. B. Cul- 
berson 1, and Stewart 1. The third ballot gave Roberts 19 and 
Reagan 11; the fourth ballot, Roberts 18, Reagan 13, and Mills 
1. It was now evident that no man could be brought forward 
who could secure the support of two-thirds of the committee, 
and Roberts having several times received a majority of the 
votes, the committee cut the Gordian knot by unanimously vot- 
ing, on motion, for Roberts. On July 23d, W. H. Herndon, act- 
ing for the committee, rose in the convention and offered the fol- 
lowing resolution: "Resolved, that the names of Hon. R. B. 
Hubbard and the Hon. T. J. Devine be withdrawn from the con- 
vention, and that hereafter during the sessions of this conven- 
tion no name heretofore placed in nomination for the position 
of Governor shall be brought again before tliis body." 

The resolution having carried and the names of Hubbard and 
Devine having been withdrawn, Mr. Herndon placed Roberts in 
nomination, and at the conclusion of several eulogistic speeches 
made in his behalf, he was nominated by acclamation. Joseph 
D. Savers v/as nominated for Lieutenant-Governor without op-' 
position and by a unanimous vote. George McCormick was 
nominated for Attorney-General, and W. C. Walsh for Land 
Commissioner, both by acclamation, rival candidates having 
been withdrawn. 

Next came nominations for State Treasurer, the following 
being put forward to contest with me for the honor : Ruf us Y. 
King, A. S. Roberts, Y. Smith, and A. J. Dorn. 

The first ballot showed 370 votes for Dorn, 271 for King, 163 
for Roberts, 213 for Smith, and 482 for Lubbock. All were 
withdrawn after the first ballot except Dorn and Lubbock. On 
the second ballot most of the strength of those who had been 
withdrawn was transferred to me, and this fact developing as the 
call of counties progressed, many of the large counties that had 
cast their vote for Dorn changed to me, and when the call had 
been completed and before the secretaries could make the count 
and enable the chairjnan to declare the result, my nomination 
was, on motion, made unanimous and by acclamation. 



616 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



The Eepublican nominees were A. B. Xorton for Governor and 
Richard Allen (colored) for Lieutenant-Governor; and those of 
the Greenbackers, W. H. Hamman for Governor and J. S. Rains 
for Lieutenant-Governor. The main reform (?) that the Green- 
backers advocated was the making of the greenback dollar a legal 
tender in the payment of all debts, public and private, and its 
issue by the govermnent on a parity with gold and silver. 

The Democratic ticket defeated that of the Greenbackers at 
the November election by a majority of over 100,000 votes. Nor- 
ton and Allen received only about 20,000 votes. 

Before the meeting of the convention I was frequently inter- 
terrogated as to how I proposed to run the treasury, and whether, 
if nominated and elected, I would stop speculation in warrants. 
I replied invariably to such inquiries that I would run it for the 
benefit of the State, with justice to the people, fairly and impar- 
tially, and that there would be no further speculation in State 
paper if I could prevent it. 

I made a very general canvass, and was elected along with 
other members of the ticket. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 61^ 



CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE. 

Removal to Austin — The State Treasury — Roberts, Bayers, and the 
Public Schools — Dr. Cooper — The University of Texas — Agricultu- 
ral and Mechanical College — Ireland — Fence-Cutting — Ross — Pro- 
hibition — Parsons' Brigade — Elkhorn Reunion — Railroad Commis- 
sion — Hogg — San Antonio Convention — Wortham Treasurer — My 
Retirement — Ireland and the Granite Capitol — Davis Memorial Ser- 
vices. 

I broke up housekeeping in Galveston and moved to Austin 
with my family in December, 1878, and rented my home in 
Galveston, stating that I would retain my citizenship there. I 
afterwards voted, at each recurring biennial election, at Galves- 
ton until 1893, when, under the system of registration then 
adopted, I was denied that right. Since that time I have voted 
at Austin, where my home is, with whose people I am identified, 
and where I will probably spend my remaining years. 

Having lived in Texas from the early days of the republic and 
watched the State grow, as it were, from infancy, and my every 
heartstring being interwoven with those of a people to whom I 
am indebted for so many kindnesses and who have so often testi- 
fied their faith in me by entrusting to me the discharge of im- 
portant public duties, my affections take in the whole State and 
people, and it matters little where my home is, so it is in the 
Lone Star State. I naturally retain many pleasant recollections 
of Houston and Galveston and of old friends there, and I feel 
an equal interest in Austin and her people, where and among 
whom I have passed pleasantly many years, — first as a public 
official and since as a private citizen, in all relations the recipient 
of many and highly prized evidences of esteem. 

Through the courtesy of Major Dorn I made my headquarters 
at his office. By January, 1879, when I entered upon the dis- 
charge of my duties as State Treasurer, I had become, through 
information vouchsafed by him, quite familiar with the work- 
ings of the department. I ascertained immediately that there 
was not a dollar in the treasury to the credit of the general 
fund, while there was quite a large sum to the credit of special 
funds. These, however, could not be used to enable the treasury 
to meet the demands for other purposes. I at once saw the ab- 



618 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



solute necessity of adopting some measure that would relieve this 
unnatural condition. I did not have to search far for the cause, 
and did not hesitate to apply the remedy. 

The prevailing practice was to allow sheriffs, tax collectors, 
and others who had to make accountings to the treasury to pay 
35 per cent of the amount turned in by them in State warrants. 
As a result, when the moneys due special funds were set aside, 
there was no cash on hand to meet other obligations, and war- 
rants were haw^ked on the streets and sold at a discount. The pur- 
chasers, certain persons living at the capital, watched the treas- 
ury, and as soon as money was on hand presented their paper 
and drew it out. 

Immediately upon my induction into office I notified the heads 
of departments and others interested that I intended to abolish 
this custom and to establish a system whereby only cash would 
be accepted in settlements, and warrants be paid according to 
registration. The entire official family, with the exception of the 
chief executive, disagreed with me, contending that under such a 
system no money would flow into the treasury. On my notifying 
Governor Roberts of my intention, he said : "I like your plan. 
It is fair; it is honest. Go ahead, inaugurate it, and I will sus- 
tain you." I therefore gave notice that after a certain day noth- 
ing but money woiild be received; that the warrants could be 
deposited, and would be registered and paid in the order of regis- 
tration. Up to this time warrants were being shaved at any- 
where from 5 to 15 per cent discount. As soon as registration 
was commenced and strictly and impartially enforced, warrants 
began to appreciate, for the obvious reason that the intelligent 
business public could approximate days of payment, whereas 
under the old plan only men who watched daily and made it a 
special business could ascertain when a deposit of money had 
been made and hurry up to the treasury and have warrants 
cashed. It consequently happened that while this class often re- 
ceived payment before the ink was dry on their warrants, meo 
who had waited perhaps for weeks and months were turned away 
empty-handed. 

The change that I inaugurated caused quite a ripple. It of 
course found no favor with those who had been speculating in 
warrants and deriving large profits therefrom. They were soon 
compelled to admit the justness of its operation and bowed with 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 619 



such grace as they could to the new order established. The re- 
form was not accomplished, however, without vigorous opposi- 
tion from other quarters, — in some instances members of the 
Legislature who desired the rule relaxed in their favor and cash 
paid immediately on presentation of their warrants for per diem, 
and in others county officials who desired to make settlements 
in the manner that had formerly prevailed. In all such case& 
I stated that I could make no concessions; that the rule was 
one that did not admit of exceptions. 

B}^ a strict enforcement of this rule, cash soon flowed into the 
coffers of the State until they were filled, and warrants were be- 
ing paid in full promptly on presentation. 

I trust I may be pardoned for reproducing the following, 
penned by S. G. Sneed and printed in the Texas Review of May, 
1886, published at Austin by C. E. Johns & Son: 

"The rule raised a storm of indignation among speculators 
and was denounced as '^illegal,' 'unauthorized by law,' 'high- 
handed' and with other like epithets. ]\Iany of the Treasurer's 
friends thought the scheme impracticable. The Legislature was 
in session, and a few members talked about impeachment. . . . 

"He stood firmly to his position, and when asked to make ex- 
ceptions in certain cases, replied that, if he consented to do so, 
he would in the next moment resign his office. 

"He was assailed and confronted with the law, and customs, 
and influences, to no avail. He replied to some parties, who 
made elaborate appeals on the law of the case : 'I'm not much 
on law; I shall follow equity, and intend to stick to my rule and 
strict justice.' 

"Treasurer Lubbock, intent on his duties at a time when there 
were serious embarrassments, and there were strange practices 
and policies, originated a new policy, as shown, and it is probable 
it will never be departed from in any future period of financial 
distress. 

"When the little embarrassment occurred in January last he 
knew exactly how to steer and he broke down every effort made 
to cripple the treasury. 

"Under the old regime speculators could keep the treasury 
perpetually drained ; but they can not under the new rule, which 
ought to pass into history as 'Lubbock's rule.' . . . 



620 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



"Among the facetiae of the times a poet laureate (who needed 
the benefit of the registration rule), not being forced to sell his 
claims, made the following endorsement on the back of his war- 
rant, M^hich contains more truth than poetry : 

' 'Frank Lubbock's head was level, when 
He broke the schemes of cunning men; 
Some howled and shouted out, ' Perdition! 
What means this scheme of registration?' 
' But 'twas no use to fight such tricks, 

The rule was made, the rule still sticks; 
It's just and right, without a flaw. 
And Lubbock's rule is Texas law.' " 

When I took charge of the Treasurer's office the force was a 
chief clerk, a bookkeeper, an assistant bookkeeper, a night watch- 
man, and a porter. I brought with me Nick Weekes, Esq., as 
chief clerk, retaining the balance of the force. Mr. Weekes, after 
several years of faithful and acceptable service, voluntarily sev- 
ered his connection with the department to embark in other busi- 
ness and was succeeded by W. B. Wortham, who continued my 
first lieutenant (and a very able one it affords me pleasure to 
say) until I retired from office. 

During my first two years as State Treasurer I performed the 
duties of a clerk in addition to my labors as head of the depart- 
ment. At the beginning I established a rule from which I never 
afterwards departed, viz. : That every letter received in the 
office must be answered. I opened and carefully and fully re- 
plied to every letter that was received myself, if I could possibly 
do so, and to this fact I attribute much of the success I was en- 
abled to achieve. 

0. M. Roberts and Joseph D. Sayers were rival candidates for 
the Democratic nomination for Governor in 1880. 

The Constitution provided that as much as one-fourth of the 
general revenue annually might be applied to the support of the 
public schools; but through Governor Eoberts' influence the ap- 
propriation was reduced to one-sixth. A storm of dissatisfaction 
arose at this supposed gubernatorial hostility to the free schools. 
Lieutenant-Governor Sayers headed the opposition and made his 
canvass, chiefly on this issue. The newspapers took a prominent 
part in the contest, the large majority favoring Eoberts' idea of 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 621 



making the free school appropriations dependent entirely upon 
the necessities of the State government. 

At the Dallas convention in July, 1880, Koberts was renomi- 
nated for Governor; but the principle for which Sayers contended 
was sustained, the convention by resolution declaring in favor 
of the largest appropriations for the schools permitted by the 
Constitution and justified by the financial condition of the State. 
Major Sayers cheerfully acquiesced in the action of the party and 
gave the whole ticket his hearty support. Free coinage and re- 
monetization of silver was also favored by resolution, and Con- 
gress was asked to prevent unjust discriminations and extortion- 
ate rates of charges for the transportation of interstate com- 
merce. 

The Republican ex-Governor, E. J. Davis, and W. H. Ham- 
man, Greenbacker, with their respective tickets were badly beaten 
by the Democratic nominees that year, and all our congressmen 
were elected by increased majorities. One of the Democratic 
platform demands was the immediate establishment of the State 
University as provided by the Constitution. Governor Eoberts 
had previously conferred with the teachers (assembled in State 
convention at Mexia) on the subject, and they had pledged their 
co-operation. On the meeting of the Seventeenth Legislature 
Dr. Oscar H. Cooper^^® presented to Governor Roberts a memo- 
rial from the teachers urging the immediate organization of the 
University, ajid it was by the Governor transmitted by message 
to the Legislature with his approval. 

The location of the university was determined by popular 
vote at an election held for that purpose, Austin being selected 
as the seat of the main University and Galveston as that of the 
medical branch. 

The Agricultural and Mechanical College, organized in 1871 
on a landed endowment made by the Federal Government (Act 

118 Dr. Cooper was born in Panola County, Texas, in 18^9 ; graduated 
from Yale in 1872, and later attended the University of Berlin ; was for 
nearly four years State superintendent of Public Instruction for Texas, 
and superintendent of public schools in Galveston for about the same 
length of time ; was elected president of Baylor University in 1899, and 
is now acting in that capacity. In 1886 Dr. Cooper married Miss Mary 
B. Stewart, grand-daughter of the late Dr. Jas. H. Starr. As an edu- 
cator he has, perhaps, no superior in Texas. — Ed. 



■622 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



of July 3, 1862), was declared by the State Constitution of 
1876 a branch of the University, and was permanently located at 
College Station, near Bryan, and put into successful operation 
several years before the organization of the main university at 
Austin. The corner stone of the University was laid with im- 
pressive ceremonies at Austin, November 17, 1883, and the in- 
stitution was formally opened September 15, 1883. On the lat- 
ter occasion, before a large audience, several interesting addresses 
were made, notably those of Dr. Ashbel Smith and Gov. John 
Ireland. 

The bill providing for the establishment of the University was 
introduced by Senator John C. Buchanan, of Wood, chairman 
■of the committee on education, and, with some unimportant 
modifications, became a law. And I understand that Senator 
Buchanan's bill was in substance the bill prepared by Dr. Cooper 
and submitted to the Senator for consideration. The chief ad- 
vocates of the measure in the Senate were Lieutenant-Governor 
Storey, John C. Buchanan, A. W. Terrell, E. M. Wynne, Jno. Y. 
Gooch, and J. B. Stubbs. 

The following gentlemen were named by the Governor for 
regents of the university : T. J. Devine, Dr. Ashbel Smith, ex- 
Governors Throckmorton, Hubbard, and Pease, Dr. James H. 
Starr, Mr. A. IST. Edwards, and Prof. Smith Ragsdale. Some 
political objections, as I understand it, having been advanced 
against E. M. Pease, the name of Jas. H. Bell was substituted 
for that of Pease, and all the appointments were thereupon con- 
firmed by the Senate. The distinguished Dr. Ashbel Smith was 
deservedly chosen as the first chairman of the board of regents. 

Judge John Hancock presided over the Democratic State 
convention held at Galveston in 1883. As foreshadowed by the 
country press, John Ireland proved the choice for Governor and 
was nominated by the convention, practically without opposition. 
Marion Martin was nominated for Lieutenant-Governor. I was 
renominated for Treasurer by acclamation, an honor also ac- 
corded by the State convention at Dallas two years before. 

To prevent the recurrence of trouble on the educational ques- 
tion, the convention favored by resolution "the submission to the 
people of a constitutional amendment authorizing the levy and 
collection of a special school tax separate from that levied for 
^•eneral revenue." The amendment was accordingly submitted 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



and adopted, and there has been no doubt since as to the avail- 
able school fund. 

The entire Democratic ticket was elected over the combined 
Greenback and Republican opposition headed by G. W. Jones. 
In 1884, Ireland, with Barney Gibbs as a running mate, was 
re-elected over G. W. Jones and A. B. Norton. While Ireland 




GOV. JOHN IRELAND. 

was Governor the University began its exercises and the founda- 
tion of the present capitol was laid. There also occurred the 
fence-cutting trouble caused by the enclosure of large pastures 
obstructing the roads. It took a special session of the Legisla- 
ture to settle the matter. During Ireland's second term my 
quondam Secretary of State in 1862, Judge C. S. West of the 
Supreme Court, resigned and the Governor appointed the Hon. 
Sawnie Eobertson^^^ of Dallas to fill out his unexpired term. 

^^* On the occasion of memorial proceeding.s had in llie Supreme 
Court June 5, 1893. in honor of Judge Robertson, who died June 21 of 
the preceding year, Attorney General C. A. Culberson presented, as ex- 



024 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Lawrence Sullivan Eoss^-" was nominated for Governor and 
T. B. Wheeler for Lieutenant-Governor by the Democratic State 
convention held at Galveston in the summer of 1886, and that 
body conferred upon me the honor of renomination. The Green- 
back party had gone to pieces. The Eepublicans and Prohibi- 
tionists had candidates in the field. A. M. Cochran was the 
nominee of the former and E. L. Dohoney of the latter. They 
were defeated by a popular majority of more than 150,000 votes. 

Deciding to settle the question of prohibition outside of party 
lines by a full and free expression of the will of the people of 
Texas, the Twentieth Legislature submitted a constitutional 
amendment prohibiting the importation, sale, or manufacture of 
malt, vinous, or spirituous liquors in the State of Texas, to be 
voted on at an election ordered for that purpose in August, 1887. 
The canvass was a very exciting one, in which much bitterness 
was manifested. None of the State officials favored the amend- 
ment. Among prominent Democrats who favored the measure 
were D. B. Culberson, John H. Eeagan, S. B. Maxey, W. S. 
Herndon, and John M. Duncan. The question at issue was not 
a party question, and positions taken either for or against the 
amendment in no way affected the party status of the individ- 
uals assuming them. I, and those who believed with me, con- 
tended, and I believe rightly, that evil would follow the adoption 
of the proposed amendment, and that it was an anti-democratic 
measure. The amendment was defeated by a majority that elimi- 
nated the question from State politics, at least for many years 
to come. 

pressive of the sentiments of the Dallas bar, resolutions that were 
ordered spread upon the minutes of the court, and that contained the 
following expressions regarding Judge Robertson : 

"As a lawyer, he had no superior in the State. At the early age of 
thirty-five years, such was his pre-eminence as a lawyer, that at the 
spontaneous suggestion of the bar of the State he was appointed to the 
bench of the Supreme Court, from which he voluntarily retired, to the 
regret of the entire bench and bar, after serving with distinguished 
ability only one year." — Ed. 

^^^ A most accomplished and elegant man, famous as an Indian 
fighter and gallant Confederate officer. It was my fortune to be inti- 
mately associated with him during his four years' term as Governor. 
He was patriotic, honest, and devoted to the public interest. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 625 



There was a notable reunion of Parsons' brigade held at Tem- 
ple, Texas, August 13, 1887, a very interesting program of ex- 
ercises being observed. There was a street parade at 10 a. m., 
with several thousand old soldiers in line, ex-Federals occupying 
positions of honor. At the conclusion of the parade the crowd 
returned to the opera house, where I was introduced by Capt. 
W. Gr. Veal, and delivered a speech, as orator of the day. Gov- 
ernor Ross was to have followed me, but was prevented by press- 
ure of official business. ^-^ 

Governor Ross was later invited to deliver the memorial ad- 
dress at a Confederate reunion held at Elkhorn, Ark., Septem- 
ber 3, 1887, but not being able to attend, ofEered me to the in- 
vitation committee as his substitute, writing to me at the same 
time under date of August 15th: 

"I am in receipt of an invitation to be present at the battle- 
field of Pea Ridge on the 1st day of September, 1887, to take 
part in the ceremonies of unveiling a monument to Generals Mc- 
Culloch, Mcintosh, and Slack, who lost their lives on that oc- 
casion. 

"My duties will prevent my attendance, but I realize that it 
is fit and proper that some Texan of 'name and fame' should be 
there to do honor to the memory of one who so honored our State 
as McCulloch, and to those others who laid down their lives for 
the cause we loved so well. 

"There is in this broad State of ours no man better qualified 
than yourself for this duty, equally mingled with pleasure and 
sadness, — sadness for those who are gone, and pleasure at the 
thought that though a quarter of a century has passed the memo- 
ries of their brave and gallant deeds are yet kept green. From 
the days of the Republic you have shared, and in a great measure 
guided, the destinies of the State through good and evil fortunes, 
till to-day she is crowned with a bright prosperity and looks out 
on a glorious future. 

1*1 The Galveston News correspondent said of Governor Lubbock's 
speech: "The address of Governor Lubbock was a most eloquent piece 
of oratory, and held the close and earnest attention of his hearers 
throughout. He was frequently interrupted by the enthusiastic ap- 
plause of his audience, amid which echoed ever and anon that never-to- 
be-forgotten shout which now is termed the 'rebel yell.' " — Ed. 

40 



626 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



"I therefore request that you will take my place on the oc- 
casion named, and be present to represent Texas, in honor to Mc- 
Culloch and our other gallant fellow citizens who fell at Pea 
Eidge." 

Accepting the cordial invitation of D. H. Hammons, writing 
for the committee, I went on the 'Frisco Railroad to Avoca, the 
station nearest the battlefield. I was there taken in charge by 
Mr. Albert Peel, who gave me a hearty welcome and escorted me 
over to the camp near the Elkhorn tavern. A large assemblage 
was on the ground, and Senator Berry, of Arkansas, presided. 
I was introduced by him in a few well chosen remarks, and after 
depTccating my inability to act as a proper substitute for Gov- 
ernor Ross, proceeded to sketch the salient points in the char- 
acter of Gen. Ben McCulloch as a soldier and civilian, and to, as 
far as lay within the scope of my abilities, pay the tributes due 
to the other Texans who fellupon that fiercely contested field, 
closing with the expression of such thoughts and sentiments as 
the assemblage before me, remembrance of the brave departed, 
and the occasion naturally inspired.^^^ The address was well 

iBsiphe Arkansas Democrat of September 6, 1887, said editorially: 
"The full text of the able and eloquent address of ex-Governor Lub- 
bock, of Texas, at the late Confederate reunion at Elkhorn will be 
found in to-day's Democrat. The biographical sketch of Gen. Ben Mc- 
Culloch and the splendid tribute to his character as a soldier are en- 
tirely worthy of the distinguished ex-Governor — distinguished alike in 
peace and in war. ' ' 

The Globe- Democrat correspondent's report contained the following: 
"The Governor made a claim which was not fully agreed to by all 
present — that was, the Southern people won the victory over Mexico 
aided by the people of the North. He then recounted at length the ser- 
vices of General McCulloch to the general government before the war, 
and to the Confederacy, and dwelt with eloquent earnestness upon his 
devotion to the cause which he honestly and conscientiously believed to 
be right. The Governor was willing to accord to those who fought on 
the other side the same honesty of purpose and the same sincerity of 
rnotive. 

" The address was finely delivered aad though occupying a full hour 
was listened to with attentive interest to the close." — Ed. 

The correspondent of the Arkansas Democrat made the following al- 
lusions to personages I met, and my stay at the hospitable home of Mr. 
and Mrs. Peel, all still well and appreciatively remembered: " Your cor- 
respondent was Very fortunate in falling into good hands. I was one of 
the honored guests of Mr. Albert Peel, a prominent citizen and merchant 




Roberts. Ross. 

FOUR TEXAS GOVERNORS 



Hogg. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 627 



received, judging from the liberal applause with which it was 
greeted during and at the conclusion of its delivery. Every ef- 
fort was made to render my visit to Arkansas an enjoyable one, 
and I returned to Austin bearing with me many pleasant recol- 
lections of that State and its intelligent and hospitable people. 

After my nomination at the State convention^^^ held at Dallas^ 
in 1888, 1 determined not to be a candidate again and announced 
the fact to my friends. Eoss and Wheeler and the entire State 
ticket were renominated and re-elected, defeating the Eepub- 
lican-Greenbaek opposition at the polls by increased majorities. 

In Eoss' second term began in earnest the agitation of the 
question of a State railroad commission. That was the para- 
mount issue in the gubernatorial campaign of 1890. 

Commissions for the regulation of railroads had been tried 
with various degrees of success in several States. The idea was 
not unfamiliar to the people of Texas, but it was reserved for 
the Attorney-General, James Stephen Hogg, to first champion 
the measure on the hustings in his candidacy for the Democratic 
nomination for Governor in 1890. Several gentlemen of ability 
took the stump against him on this issue. In the remarkable can- 
vass of that year Hogg's power over the masses seemed irresist- 
ible, and all his opponents successively dropped out of the race. 
The State convention met at San Antonio in August. Hon. Hor- 
ace Chilton (now United States Senator from Texas) placed 
General Hogg's name before the convention in an able speech, 
and he was nominated with but one dissenting voice. The con- 

of Avoca, who had the honor of entertaining ex-Governor Lubbock, of 
Texas, whose acquaintance I was delighted to make. Hon. C. B. Moore, 
Secretary of State, Col. Samuel Morris, of the Democrat, Colonel Part- 
ridge, of the Sentinel, Judge Pittman, Major Davidson. Rev. Mr. Vaux, 
and Uncle Zeb Pettigrew. of Fayetteville, were all most royally enter- 
tained by Mr. Peel and his excellent and most accomplished lady, whose 
kind hospitality to us will never be forgotten. If this should ever meet 
the eye of Governor Lubbock he will agree with me that as a hostess 
she is unsurpassed, and that the best roast mutton and coffee and the 
whitest, lightest bread ever placed before hungry mortals were served 
at her table. The Governor, I know, will not soon forget the roasted 
lamb, and will smile when he reads this reference to it." 

12' Gen. Henry E. McCulloch was a rival candidate for nomination 
for State Treasurer. His candidacy in no way interrupted oiu- friend- 
ship. 



628 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



vention in its action merely registered the decree which had gone 
forth from the people. The objection of the delegate from one 
county kept the nomination from being by acclamation. 

W. B. Wortham, my chief clerk, was selected to succeed me as 
State Treasurer. Knowing him to be entirely competent for the 
position, I espoused his candidacy for the nomination. He had 
a hard fight in the canvass and at the convention, but was nom- 
inated on the third ballot. 

When Wortham filed his bond on January 33, 1891, I turned 
over to him the State treasury, taking his receipt in full. 

After so many years of service as State Treasurer, I felt truly 
thankful to Providence that I had been preserved in health and 




CAPITOL OF TEXAS. 



strength to the hour of my retirement, and that I had been en- 
abled to discharge my official duties acceptably to the people and 
to myself. 

During my term of office as State Treasurer, the present mag- 
nificent granite State capitol was erected. I was the only mem- 
ber of the original capitol board who served from the beginning 
to the completion of the building. It is a source of gratification 
to me that I was instrumental in having Texas stone used. The 
contractors insisted on using Indiana limestone. Governor Ire- 
land stated emphatically that he would not sign a contract that 
would permit the building to be erected of foreign stone. I heart- 
ily concurred with him, stating that it had been advertised to the 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 629 



world that we had an inexhaustible supply of granite, limestone, 
and marble ; that to permit these men to haul building material 
from another State would be a great injustice and outrage, and 
that if they saw fit to throw up their contract it would be well 
to let them do so, as there would be no difficulty in getting others 
to taJce their place, and we would be the gainers to the extent of 
the work already done. The Governor and myself, as members 
of the board, stood firm and, as a result, the contractors came 
to our terms and the capitol was built wholly of Texas granite, 
limestone, and marble, a verification of every statement made in 
regard to the mineral wealth of the State. 

Eequested by the donors to act for them in that capacity, I 
delivered a speech^^* at a joint session of the Twenty-second Leg- 
islature, held in the Senate chamber, March 8, 1891, presenting 
to the Senate, and through that body to the people of Texas, a 
very large and fine oil painting of Jefferson Davis. Lieutenant- 
Governor Pendleton made the speech of acceptance. The pro- 
gram of exercises had been prepared by a legislative committee 
appointed for that purpose, and was of a character worthy of 
the departed chief, whose memory will ever be treasured by the 
people of the South. 



^^■^ See Appendix for speech. 



630 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



CHAPTEE THIRTY-SIX. 

Family Matters — My Present Wife, Sarah Elizabeth Black Lubbock — 
Her Carolina Family — Our Visit to South Carolina — Hospitable Re- 
ception — A Pleasant Sojourn — Atlanta — Southern Prosperity. 

In 1882, during my term as State Treasurer, God took to Him- 
self my wife, Adele Baron Lubbock, whose love and devotion had 
brightened nearly fifty years of my life. 

After the expiration of a year I married my present wife, 
Sarah Elizabeth Black Lubbock, whose love and devotion and 




F. R. LUBBOCK. 



S. E. BLACK PORTER. 



energy have made my present work possible. She is from a 
Carolina family, and was the widow of Dr. A. A. Porter, a dis- 
tinguished divine of the Presbyterian church. With this church 
I united about one year after our marriage, and I am well pleased 
to say that I have had more satisfaction in my religion since than 
in my previous political honors,— honors so kindly conferred by 
my fellow-citizens that my appreciation of them always helped 
me to live a grateful, happy life. 

The accompanying page presents a group picture of the entire 
family of my wife S. E. Black Lubbock. It represents the vari- 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 631 



ous members as they were at the period of the war between the 
States, with the exception of her father, James Augustus Black, 
who died soon after the close of the Mexican war, and a few weeks 
after his picture on this plate was taken. He was a member of 
the United States Congress from the Pinckney district, South 
Carolina; chairman of the House committee on military affairs, 
and an ardent supporter of the cause of Texas, that occupied so 
greatly the attention of that body during his term of office. When 
I was an enthusiastic Polk and Dallas man in the Lone Star 
State, he was as enthusiastic in his section and in Congress for 
our annexation. 

Elizabeth Sarah Logan Black, her mother, was a daughter of 
Col. John Logan, a soldier of the American Eevolution in his 
boyhood, and a prominent citizen of Abbeville district. South 
Carolina, in the early part of the nineteenth century. 

John Logan Black, her brother, was colonel of the First South 
Carolina cavalry, Hampton's command, in the Confederate States 
army, and served with distinction through the war. 

Mary Poster Black Davies, her sister, married, in 1861, Rev. 
James Adams Davies, a Presbyterian minister of York, S. C, 
and at her death left one son in South Carolina and one in Texas. 

The Black family, ever since its settlement in America in pre- 
revolutionary days, has been among the most prominent, influen- 
tial, and respected in Pennsylvania and the Carolinas. 

The year 1891 found me for the first time in my life with no 
pressing public or private employment, and with liberty to 
make a trip purely for purposes of pleasure. Being so situ- 
ated, my wife and I decided to visit South Carolina, her native 
State, where she often visited her kinpeople during her widow- 
hood, and about the first of July of that year we started upon 
the journey. We stopped off at Houston for a pleasant stay of 
short duration with Mary Lubbock and Bob Lockart, and in due 
time reached Greenville, S. C, where we were welcomed by my 
wife's brother. Col. John L. Black, and her sister, Mrs. Davies; 

I found Greenville a handsome and prosperous city of 10,000 
inhabitants, second in commercial importance to Charleston, and 
was agreeably surprised to meet quite a number who knew me 
and remembered my brother Tom S. Lubbock. We spent several 
weeks in Greenville, and we still retain many pleasant recollec- 
tions of its hospitable people. 



632 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



During our stay there was an ex-Confederate reunion in Green- 
ville, at which, in compliance with a pressing invitation, I deliv- 
ered a speech on August 4th to the veterans of the "lost cause" 
and citizens assembled in the City Park. 

I was introduced by Colonel Crittenden as having been the 
War Governor of Texas, and later on the staff of President Davis, 
and as a South Carolinian by birth, the colonel taking advantage 
of the occasion to say much of a complimentary nature in my be- 
half. In my address 1 alluded to the fact that Bonham, the hero 
of the Alamo, was a South Carolinian ; that, sent out to procure 
reinforcements and failing, he cut his way back into the Alamo 
to die with its garrison, which he then, better than any other, 
knew to be doomed. 

I said also that Eusk, Hemphill, Wigfall, Roberts, Murrah, 
B. E. Bee (father of Barn^ird E. Bee), T. N. Waul, A. S. Lips- 
comb, and Chas. S. West, all distinguished in the annals of Texas 
history for great abilities and public services, were born in the 
Palmetto State. I said that in nearly every hamlet and neigh- 
borhood in Texas South Carolinians, or the descendants of South 
Carolinians, were to be found, and that all I had ever known had 
proven themselves to be good citizens. I sketched briefly the 
history of South Carolina in the American Revolution, in the 
aid given by her sons to the cause of Texas freedom, and in the 
part she took in the Mexican war and the war between the States, 
in both of which struggles her soldiers and those of Texas fought 
shoulder to shoulder ; and stated that these two commonwealths, 
whose people were bound together by so many enduring ties, were 
equally dear to me and M^ould be to my dying hour ; that I gloried 
in the prowess the soldiers of both had shown on the battlefield ; 
the purity, patriotism, and wisdom the statesmen of each had 
exhibited; and the imperishable renown that had been achieved 
by both in the course of the civil and martial struggles that had 
marked the progress of our national life. I said that, while the 
career of South Carolina reached back to a much more remote 
period than that of Texas, and she could show a longer scroll, 
inscribed with the record of far more numerous deeds of valor 
and worth, yet the scroll of Texas gleamed no less brightly, and 
the record it displayed was, as far as it extended, no less hon- 
orable and heroic. 

I talked to the veterans of the parts they and others like them 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. ()33 



had taken in the war between the States; of the reconstruction 
period; of the progress being made by the South, and of ray- 
hopes for its future, and concluded by saying that Confederate 
reunions should continue to be held until the last of those who 
wore the gray have passed from the scenes of earth. They asked 
me to do so, and I talked specially of Mr. Davis for awhile.^^^ 

Judge Cothran and Col. James Armstrong, of Charleston, de- 
livered interesting addresses. 

After the speech-making, and a benediction pronounced by 
Rev. John 0. Willson, all repaired to another part of the park, 
where an elegant picnic dinner was served near a beautiful 
spring, under the overshadowing boughs of a grove of century- 
old oaks. 

From Greenville we visited relatives at Greenwood, in Abbe- 
ville County; Cross Hill, and Blacksburg. The latter place is 
named in honor of Mrs. Lubbock's family. Her father and E. 
Graham owned the King's Moimtain Iron Works and a consid- 
erable tract of land near Blacksburg containing extensive iron 
deposits. At the time of our visit her brother, Col. John L. Black, 
was vice-president of the Magnetic Iron and Steel Ore Company, 
organized for the purpose of developing the mines, which now 
give promise of becoming valuable. My wife's sister and brother 
came from Greenville to join us at Blacksburg and remained 
with us during our few weeks stay there. We visited the house 
where my wife was born (now occupied by the employes of a cot- 
ton factory) and the family plantation. The latter is still owned 
by her brother, sister, and herself. As the town contained many 
of her relatives, our stay there was made very enjoyable. Colonel 

125 "Governor Lubbock spoke for an hour and a half, "says the 
Greenville Daily News, "and was given the closest attention. 
The speaker said he had heard many good men say, 'we fought for 
what we thought was right.' He did not like to hear men make that 
remark, because ' we fought for what we knew was right. ' 

"Speaking of the overwhelming numbers of Federal soldiers, Gov- 
ernor Lubbock said that the records of the war department in Washing- 
ton showed that it took five and one-half Federal soldiers to whip one 
Confederate. He told a story about meeting a friend in New York just 
after the war. His friend said, 'Colonel, I've just found out how we 
were beat.' 'How's that?' asked the Governor. 'Why, they've got 
more omnibus drivers in New York City than we had cavalry in the 
war.' The story caused laughter and applause." — Ed. 



634 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Black and I made a trip to my old home, Charleston, where I 
had not been since the meeting of the Democratic convention in 
1860. Notwithstanding all the misfortunes visited upon her by 
war, flood, fire, and earthquake, I found the city much improved, 
and discovered quite a number of old landmarks, associated with 
my recollections of boyhood, unchanged — notably the old two- 
story brick in which I took my first lessons in business, the very 
doors, including the hinges upon which they were swung and the 
locks with which they were fastened, appearing the same, al- 
though sixty years had elapsed since I stepped forth from this 
initial point of endeavor to seek what fortune for myself awaited 
me in the world. As I anticipated, I found but few of my fam- 
ily connections living. I was gratified to find that those who 
survived were pleased that I had come so far to see them and the 
old place. Dr. Hopson Pinckney's son, G. Pinckney, Esq., was 
very kind to me, showing me about the city and pointing out 
places and objects of interest. I visited the spot where my 
parents' home once stood, on South Battery. 

From Charleston we went to Grahamville to visit Cousin Ann 
Oswald, always so dear to the entire family, and from whom I 
received so many evidences of kindness and love in my childhood 
days. She was eighty-five years old, but in good health and 
cheerful, her mind as bright as at any period of her life, and she 
was delighted to see me. The pleasure I experienced was fully 
as great as hers. She was living with her nephew, Charles Bell, 
a prominent lawyer of that section. 

Having discharged this duty, we returned to Charleston, and 
proceeded thence to Columbia for the purpose of meeting my old- 
time friend and schoolmate, Dr. Hopson Pinckney, who came in 
from his country home near that city to see me. After enjoying 
the pleasure of talking over old times with him, and seeing that 
a separation for thirty years had dimmed his regard for me as 
little as it had mine for him. Colonel Black and I returned to 
Blacksburg and rejoined Mrs. Lubbock. 

During the few days that we remained there. Col. Wharton 
Green, an accomplished North Carolinian, came to visit us upon 
the invitation of Colonel Black. . They were West Point chums. 
I had made his acquaintance many years before, and I was truly 
gratified at his coming. His father, Gen. Thomas Jefferson 



L UBB O CK'S MEMOIRS, 



635 



Green, brought men and means to the aid of Texas in her revo- 
lutionary struggle. 

On leaving Blacksburg, Mrs. Lubbock and I accompanied her 
sister to Greenville, remained there a week, and at the conclusion 
of our delightful sojourn started on our journey home, which 
we reached September 13, 1891. 

On our way to Texas we stopped at Atlanta, Ga., to spend a 
few hours with Dr. J. H. Logan's family, relatives of my wife. 
They rendered our visit to them very pleasant. 




F. R LUBBOCK. 



S E. BLACK LUBBOCK. 



(Our Latest Pictures.) 



As I expected, Atlanta had grown wonderfully, and contrasted 
happily and markedly with the town that I escaped from when 
Hood was evacuating it and the Federals were preparing to enter 
it. This city is an epitome in brick and mortar, in railroads and 
factories, in increased population and wealth, and in evidences 
of commercial vitality, thrift, and energy, of the successful strug- 
gle that has been made by the Southern States from the gloom 
and poverty that followed the war to the present condition of 
prosperity they enjoy. The South is steadily growing richer and 



636 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



more populous ; the commercial and industrial sceptre is passing 
to it from the East, and at no distant time in the future it will 
be a dominant factor in the Union ; and I rejoice that this is so, — 
that a higher power than human hate has shaped its destinies and 
is leading it on to an ever brightening and more glorious future. 
As I view this pleasing prospect, my love and veneration for the 
Old South grows warmer and more exalted, for the New South 
is but a natural outgrowth of the old. 

I was glad to note that South Carolina bore witness to the 
fact that she was participating in the commercial reawakening 
and onward march. Dear old South Carolina, mother of patriot- 
statesmen and soldiers, grand old State that gave me birth and 
cradled me in thy arms, my heart turns fondly to thee as I pen 
these lines. Go on, thou and Texas, into the future that awaits 
thee, and there, as in the past, be foremost, in times of peace and 
war, in every good work and, with counsel and valor, help to 
make the Southland the fairest and best, the richest and most 
powerful, the bravest and most patriotic portion of this great 
republic, that now, having extended its sway across the conti- 
nent, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, is stretching forth strong 
arms to encircle the isles of the sea.^^^ 

136 Thp Greenwood correspondent of the Abbeville, S. C, Press and 
Banner, under date of August 11, 1891, said: "The War Governor of 
Texas, ex-Gov. F. R. Lubbock, and wife, spent several days in town 
last week, the guests of Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Blake. . . . While 
here the young men of our town with a number of our citizens sere- 
naded them, after which they called iipon Governor Lubbock for a 
speech. He responded in a very appropriate manner, . . . and his 
allusion to his native State was very touching. He said that he had 
lived his allotted time, and that he would wish that his bones could be 
laid to rest in this grand old State where he was born, were it not for 
the fact that it would show a want of gratitude upon his part not to 
have them laid beneath the soil of his adopted State, which had always 
honored him and made him what he was. 

" Capt. J. T. Parks was present and responded for Greenwood in one 
of his best efforts." 

The Greenwood Observer, then edited by J. H. Marshall, noticed the 
incident in an article bearing the caption: "Ex-Gov. Francis Lub- 
bock — Honoring a Son of South Carolina Who Has Won Fame in the 
Far West." 

"Between 9 and 10 o'clock in the evening, " says the Observer, "a 
large party of gentlemen repaired to Mr. Blake's residence, where a 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 637 



number of appropriate pieces were well rendered by the musicians. 
Before dispersing, Governor Lubbock was called on for a speech and 
responded in the most happy and appropriate manner. . . . After 
the party had been introduced to the Governor, and by him presented 
to his wife, who is also a South Carolinian, Captain Parks was called 
upon to respond for the city. Captain Parks' remarks were appropriate 
and eloquent, and were frequently applauded. Many of our citizens 
have met Governor Lubbock, and every one is delighted with his hearty 
joviality, courtesy, and kindness. Greenwood never entertained a more 
welcome guest." 

The Charleston News and Courier contained a lengthy notice of Gov- 
ernor Lubbock's visit to that city, heading the article "The Return of 
the Native — Ex-Gov. Francis R. Lubbock of Texas Revisits the Home 
of His Boyhood for the First Time in Thirty Years — Interesting Rem- 
iniscences, " and embodying in the article a biographical sketch of the 
Governor. 

Governor and Mrs. Lubbock were the recipients, at the various points 
they visited in South Carolina, of every courtesy and honor from press 
and people that could have been expected from an intelligent, chivalric 
and appreciative people desiring to welcome to their midst a disiin- 
guished son of that State, and his wife, daughter of one of the ablest 
representatives that South Carolina had in time past sent to the Con- 
gress of the United States. — Ed. 



638 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN. 

Penitentiary Board and Board of Pardons — Hogg's Re-Election — His 
Impress on Texas Legislation — Slierman and Burnet Monument — 
Confederate Reunion and Winnie Davis — Culberson — Chilton — Pri- 
mary Election — Omaha Excursion — Galveston Convention — Plat- 
form on Expansion — Sayers' Administration — Executive Appoint- 
ments — A Year's Work — My Adieu. 

I approved Hogg's policies and favored his renomination 
in 1892. Overcoming the influence of corporations working 
mightily against hiin, he (Hogg) was renominated for Governor, 
with M. M. Crane for Lieutenant-Governor. The bitterest polit- 
ical contest ever known in Texas ensned. But in spite of the 
formidable opposition, under the leadership of George Clark and 
Thomas L. iSTugent, Hogg was indorsed at the polls by a re- 
election. 

• At the request of Governor Hogg,^^'^ I served as a member of 
the penitentiary board during his first term of office. In that 
capacity I made several trips to Huntsville and Rusk on official 
business. On one occasion we visited the lower Brazos with a 
view to purchasing sugar lands for the State. Our party con- 
sisted of Governor Hogg, R. W. Finley, Col. A. P. Wooldridge, 
Judge Smyth^ Colonel Whately and others, and we had a pleas- 
ant time together. 

1 ® '' (jovernor Hogg has apparently left his impress indelibly on the 
political history of Texas, and embodied permanently in the State's or- 
ganic and statutory law the policies for which he contended. 

This is evidenced by the following five of the many important and 
far reaching enactments passed during his administration, viz.: 

1. Establishing the Railroad Commission. 

2. Prohibiting the issuance of fictitious stocks and bonds by railway 
companies. 

3. Restricting the power of counties, cities, and towns to issue 
bonds. 

4. Defining perpetuities and prohibiting the ownership of land by 
corporations for agricultural, horticultural, or speculative purposes. 

5. Prohibiting aliens — people not residents or citizens of Texas or of 
the United States — from owning lands except for a limited period. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 639 



To relieve the Governor of hard labor that could be done by 
others, the Legislature during Governor Hogg's second term 
created a board of pardons, whose business it was to investigate 
the cases of all convicts seeking pardons and report to the Gov- 
ernor for final action. I accepted a position on the board. Judge 
L. D. Brooks, an elegant gentleman and able lawyer, was the 
other member. Our two years' association was of the most pleas- 
ant character. This was my last service as a public official. 

On invitation of the Daughters of the Eepublic, I participated 
in the ceremonies attending the unveiling of the monument to 
Burnet and Sherman at Galveston, March 2, 1894. After a most 
eloquent speech by ISTorman G. Kittrell, the orator of the day, I 
was called out. Unprepared as I was (I had not been notified 
that I would be expected to make a speech) I rose and made a 
few remarks on the characters of Burnet and Sherman, saying 
in conclusion : "A great many people think T was in the battle 
of San Jacinto, because I am secretary and treasurer of the vet- 
erans. I am sorry, now, that I was not in that battle ; for, if I 
had been, my Texas record would now be complete. And, really, 
if I had known how few of yon would have been killed, I would 
have most certainly been there." This brought a smile to the 
faces of the veterans. Aged though they were, they still had 
soldiers' hearts, and the true soldier will appreciate and laugh 
at a joke even under fire. 

I was present at the grand reunion of Confederate veterans 
at Houston in May, 1895. It was a delightful affair, and T 
enjoyed the company very much. Besides this, I had the pleas- 
ure of meeting Miss Winnie Davis,^^^ whom I had not seen since 
the reinterment of the remains of Mr. Davis at Eichmond, Va. 

Attorney- General Charles A. Culberson succeeded Hogg as 
governor of Texas and held the office for two terms without seri- 
ous opposition. His administration followed closely in line 
with that of his predecessor as to policies. 

i«« Mrs. Win.- M. Rice durinj? the reunion gave to her an elegant re- 
ception at the Capitol Hotel. Upon my entrance into the room Miss 
Winnie rushed to me exclaiming, " My father's dear old friend and my 
childhood's friend," and threw her arms about my neck. This demon- 
stration of affection and the rising memories of the olden time filled my 
eyes with tears to overflowing. 



640 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



In 1898 Governor Culberson was recommended at the primary 
elections throughout the State for United States senator. The 
Legislature meeting in January, 1899, formally elected Mr. Cul- 
berson to that high office. The senior United States senator, 
Hon. Horace Chilton, initiated the plan of electing senators by 
primary elections in his own case in 1894, leaving the formal 
ratification of the popular choice to the Legislature. The pri- 
mary system for nominating all officials, it seems, has come to 
stay. 

On invitation of Governor Culberson, I was a member of the 
party^-^ that accompanied him to the Trans-Mississippi exposi- 
tion held at Omaha in 1898, to be present at the exercises on 
Texas day. We left Austin at 7 a. m., August 15th, over the 
Houston & Texas Central Eailway. One of the most pleasant 
features of the Journey was the reception accorded us as we 
passed along. To show" us consideration the people congregated 
at many of the stations (representative citizens with their lovely 
wives and daughters), cheered for Texas, and called for speeches. 
Governor Culberson responded to most of these demands. At a 
town just as we entered Kansas, where a large and enthusiastic 
concourse had assembled, the Governor invited me to go to the 
platform and introduced me as the War Governor of Texas, and 
the oldest ex-Governor of the State. I made a few remarks, say- 
ing by way of conclusion: "When I look into your intelligent 
upturned faces, if it were not for the fact that I know I am in 
Kansas, I would take you for Texans." To heighten this im- 
pression, I suppose, they gave us a genuine soul-stirring Texas 
yell as our train moved out of the station. 

12* Among others of our party were R. B. Hubbard, R. W. Finley, 
Oeo. F. Pendexter, John C. Meade, W. M. Giles, E. P. Holland, Eugene 
Williams, Dr. B. M. Worsham, Prof. R. L. Batts, Judge J. H. Robert- 
son, W. G. Sterrett, G. J. Palmer, Tom Richardson, W. A. Childress, 
R. IT. Culberson, Gus F. Taylor. R. E. Smith, L. A. Carlton, L. S. Flatau, 
J. S. Myrick, William Wolf, and the Governor's staff: Gen. A. P. Wozen- 
craft, Col. J. D. Rudd, Col. B. F. Sherrill, Col. R. J. Murphy, Col. W. B. 
Henderson, Col. I. M. Standifer, Col. S. E. Moss, and E. R. McLean. 
Colonel Sterret, of the Galveston-Dallas News, and Mr. Bushick, of the 
San Antonio Express, accompanied and remained with our party until 
our return. They were especially kind and added much to our enjoy- 
ment. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 641 



At Omaha the address of welcome was delivered by Lieutenant- 
Governor Holcomb, of Nebraska, and replied to by Governor Cul- 
berson. On Texas day, August 18th, ex-Governor Hubbard was 
orator of the day. Hubbard's speech was a magnificent effort. 
We were the recipients of many courtesies, and had an enjoyable 
time during our attendance at the exposition. 

During our visit to the State of William Jennings Bryan we 
would have been glad to have met him, for of all the public men 
in the Union, he was then, as he is now, the most popular with 
Texas Democrats ; but owing to his being absent we were denied 
that pleasure. 

However, we met many distinguished and pleasant people, 
and returned home with most agreeable recollections of the peo- 
ple of the great Northwest and their hospitality. 

Assistant Passenger Agent George had charge of our train 
and the care of our party, and he was most attentive to our com- 
fort from start to finish. To me he was as kind as a son could 
have been. We were also under many obligations to the officers 
of the Eock Island Eailroad for courtesies extended. 

In the canvass for the gubernatorial nomination in 1898 Major 
Joseph D. Sayers had a walkover, all contesting candidates hav- 
ing retired before the meeting of the convention at Galveston, 
August 4th. Major Sayers w^as nominated by a rising vote, and a 
committee consisting of A. W. Mclver, John W. Wortham, and 
myself escorted him to the platform, where he was royally 
greeted, the delegates rising in their seats and yelling and cheer- 
ing. As spokesman for the committee, I referred briefly to 
Major Sayers' public services, saying as to his military record 
that he was the only man I ever saw in the field on two crutches. 
In concluding his eloquent address of thanks and acceptance. 
Major Sayers pledged himself to maintain the integrity of the 
Democratic party by adhering to its principles and policies as 
declared in the platforms, and, if elected, to perform all his offi- 
cial duties honestly, faithfully, and to the best of his ability. 

The other nominees were : J. N. Browning, for Lieutenant- 
Governor; Thos. S. Smith, for Attorney-General; E. W. Finley, 
for Comptroller ; Geo. W. Finger, for Land Commissioner ; John 
W. Eobbins, for Treasurer ; Allison Mayfield, for Eailroad Com- 
missioner; J. S. Kendall, for Superintendent of Public Instruc- 

41 



042 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



tion : Thos. J. Brown, for Associate Justice of the Supreme 
Court; and M. M. Brooks for Judge of the Court of Criminal 
Appeals. 

The most exciting debate in the convention was on the ques- 
tion of expansion, arising from our victories on land and sea in 
the Spanish war. The platform utterance on the subject (ad- 
vocated by Senator Horace Chilton and opposed by Congressman 
Joseph W. Bailey) favored expansion in the western hemisphere, 
but not in the eastern; that is to say, retention of West India 
Islands but not of the Philippines. The platform declared the war 
to have been forced upon us by the misconduct of Spain ;^^° prom- 
ised the President of the United States the full support of the 
Democratic party in all measures necessary to conduct the war 
to an early and successful end; favored the generous develop- 
ment of the American navy; favored the construction and con- 
trol of the Nicaragua Canal by the United States, and denounced 
the revenue bill passed by the Eepublican party. 

An important feature of the platform was a plank favoring 
the appointment by the Legislature of a committee to inquire 
into our State financial system, including the whole subject of 
taxation, and to formulate measures of reform. 

I stood squarely upon the State Democratic platform through- 
out, and I shall continue to do so, accepting the changes, if any, 
made by the next National Democratic convention. Our whole 
ticket was easily elected by an immense majority, only the Popu- 
lists offering a feeble resistance. The political excitement soon 
changed to an era of good feeling. Accordingly, the new ad- 
ministration opened under the most favorable auspices.^^^ 

Public anticipation as to the success of the new administration 
appears, after a year's trial, to be well justified. Indeed, no 

i'" As an American citizen, I hold that the best result of the late 
Spanish war has been the restoration of fraternal feeling between the 
once discordant and belligerent sections of our countrj'. 

I'l Among Governor Sayers' appointments in the capitol were C. Jef- 
ferson Johnson to continue in his office as Commissioner of Agriculture, 
Insurance, Statistics, and History: D. H. Hardy, Secretary of State; 
Joe Lee Jameson, Financial Agent: Thomas Scurry, Adjutant General; 
L. P. Sieker, Quartermaster Frontier Battalion; and Capt. Sam Harlan, 
Superintendent of Public Buildings and Grounds — all admirable selec- 
tions. 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 645 



serious damage could befall Texas under Democratic rule, for 
Democracy has always stood for good government. 

The founders of the Kepublic — for there were giants in those 
days — by devotion to Democratic principles made possible the 
Texas of to-day. The spirit of '36, tested by the fires of 1861-74, 
lives immortal in the heart of every true Texan. 

In conclusion, my prayer is that Texas may continue, one and 
indivisible, as a star of the first magnitude in the American con- 
stellation. 



APPENDIX. 



TEXAS POETS' TEIBUTE. 

The following verses to the memory of my brother, Thomas S. Lub- 
bock, were written by our mutual friends, William M. Gilleland* and 
Alfred M. Hobby, both of whom are now dead: 

LINES 

on the death of colonel thomas s. lubbock. 

By Wm. M. Gilleland. 

Respectfully inscribed to Mrs. F. R. Lubbock. 

I sing now in the minstrel's strain^ 

Though heaviness of heart is mine. 
That I must touch ray harp again, 

While bending at a warrior's shrine; 
Though cold and calm in death he lies, 

The sun-light of his fame shall glow 
From where the Aztec dungeons rise. 

To where Potomac's waters flow. 

Proud sepulchres inurn their bones, 

And columns rise where despots sleep, 
Who paved their way with human groans. 

To climb ambition's treacherous steep; 
But they Avill moulder back to dust, 

Nor leave a vestige of their name; 
While patriots, to their country just. 

Bequeath to grateful hearts their fame! 

The bells, with iron tongues and slow. 

Toll for the warrior's sable car. 
And thrill those streets with notes of woe. 

Whence lately dashed his steeds to war! 
The death drum beats its solemn strain, 

And o'er his bier proud banners wave, 
While thousands swell the funeral train 

That bears brave Lubbock to his grave! 

* Brother of Mrs. Rebecca J. Fisher, now (1900) president of Travis 
Chapter, Daughters of the Republic. 



646 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



And Texas mourns her gallant son, 

Who freedom valued more than life^ 
And promptly rushed where death is won, 

When sounded first the notes of strife! 
For well she knows that^ though denied 

The death he wooed, if death must come, 
Ne'er nobler patriot ever died, 

Nor braver soldier met his doom. 

Dread Alamo! thy walls can tell. 

How human tides surged on thy breast, 
And freedom's lions proudly fell. 

From tyrant hands thy halls to wrest; 
There, herbage rank, and hoary trees. 

In leaves and blossoms bear on high 
The sacred blood and dust they seize 

From hero hearts that round them lie! 

Now cold in death lies Lubbock's form; 

Yet, Alamo, thy rampart knew 
How, 'mid the battle's fiery storm, 

On — on to scale their heights he flew! 
And how, with comrades true and brave, 

He nobly fought the bloody fray; 
How foemen found a gory grave. 

And Texians won a glorious day! 

And where are they — his comrades brave. 

Those patriot hearts of high degree. 
Who fought, their country's rights to save, 

And make her noble, proud and free? 
Alas, but few now grace the land, 

And these but feebly hold their place, 
Where strangers boldly now demand. 

The honors due their gallant race. 

Oh, peaceful, Lubbock, be thy rest! 

Thine is a name "not born to die," 
And mid the valiant spirits blest, 

No purer one illumes the sky — 
The mural bay and laurel bloom. 

Meet emblems of the warrior's fame — 
Thine are they now, to grace thy tomb. 

And be all deathless as thy name! 



APPENDIX. 647 

TO THE MEMORY OF 

COL. THOMAS S. LUBBOCK, 

Who Died at 

Nashville, Tenn., on Thtjbsday, January 9, 1862, 

Wliile in the Service of His Country, 

commanding the TEXAS RANGERS. 

Dedicated to Gov. F. R. Lubbock, 
By Alfred M. Hobby. 

Drape in gloom our Southern Ensign, 

Gently fold its crimson bars. 
While cypress-wreaths around we twine 

And dim with tears its burning stars. 
Hearts are throbbing, eyes are weeping 

Tears on noble Lubbock's grave, 
Calm in death his form is sleeping, 

Lamented Lubbock, true and brave. 

But yesterday the minute gun 

Came booming on our shore. 
And on our day a shadow hung, 

Brave Terry was no more. 
He died on the soil that gave him birth, 

Defending his country's trust. 
Our vandal foes he crushed to earth. 

Like servile worms of dust. 

Then Lubbock unto tliee we turned 

To lead our Texian band. 
We knew what fires within thee burned, 

What courage nerved thy hand; 
We felt that thou wouldst win from fame, 

A laurel-wreath of glory. 
And deeds of valor give thy name 

High place in Southern story. 

When, years ago, a single star 

Illum'nd our Western sky. 
Its radiant beams were hailed afar. 

And caught his youthful eye. 
Forsaking home, to aid the brave. 

Foes and dangers scorning, 
To his adopted Mother gave 

The vigor of life's morning. 



648 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Where'er her ensign was unfurled^ 

Beneath were souls to dare. 
And valor's arm foes backward hurl'd. 

In victory's meteor glare. 
He saw it wave — that Lone Star flag — 

Above the Rocky Mountains, 
Where frozen tears from the icy crag 

Weep into silver fountains. 

He saw that flag reflected gleam 

Down deep in Pecos' river — 
Its azure folds, its silvery sheen. 

On flowing waters quiver. 
He saw it meet the rising day 

On Santa Fe's broad plain, 
W^hich, cold and cheerless, stretched away 

Where gloom and silence reign. 

He saw that star the heavens climb 

Through battles' lurid light. 
Still upward, in its strength sublime — 

Unutterably bright. 
In Aztecs' dungeons, dark and deep, 

Its beams resplendent shedding. 
He heard success, along Fame's steep, 

Our mystic future treading. 

Unehangiing still — through rest or toil 

His heart for Texas burning; 
It loved her sons and blood-bought soil; 

It knew no shade of turning. 
And when our honor was assailed. 

Indignant shouts were raised; 
The Lone Star fluttered in the gale. 

And reddened, flashed, and blazed. 

It swept on high the fleecy cloud — 

It sought a loftier station; 
And joined, 'midst cheers of Freemen, loud, 

The "Southern Constellation!" 
And there it shines — God bless that Star — 

God bless her sister stars; 
'Tis Venus in the days of peace. 

In war the planet Mars. 



APPENDIX. 649 



Upon Manassas' gory field, 

Where fell the shafts of death. 
Its new-born splendor stood revealed 

'Midst battle's sulphurous breath. 
Where thickest rain'd war's iron hail, 

And gush'd the crimson tide, 
Undaunted there our Lubbock stood, 

Brave Terry by his side. 

Far in advance, on Fairfax heights, 

Rais'd by a tyrants minion, 
They struck the flag that dared insult 

Our honor'd Old Dominion. 
Enough ! They were strong friends in youth- 

In spring time's pleasant weather — 
Two souls close bound in bonds of truth — 

In death they sleep together. 

Time's brightest page their names adorn, 

Their deeds are history's trusts. 
And fame's green laurels, fresh as morn 

Will crown their honored busts. 
The fevered frame and aching head 

Of Lubbock is at rest ; 
He sleepeth well 'neath Southern skies. 

Still looking to the West. 

Proud Carolina's never borne 

A truer son or braver; 
And like herself would trample on 

Power's threat or favor. 
But pulseless lies that heart of worth 

Beneath the swelling sod, 
His body with its mother earth. 

His spirit with its God. 

On hearts bereaved a pall is cast. 

And withered seems life's flowers; 
Oh! let your tears flow free and fast. 

With them shall mingle ours. 
Eternal honor to the brave. 

May Spring her garlands wreathe 
Immortal blooms to deck his grave. 

And Christ his soul receive. 



650 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



SPEECH ON JEFFERSON DAVIS. 

Delivered by me at a joint session of the Twenty- second Legislature, 
held in the Senate chamber on the evening of March 8, 1891, the 
occasion being the presentation of a portrait of Jefferson Davis. 

Mr. President, Members of the Tiventy-second Legislature, and Ladies 

and Gentlemen : 

I am accorded by this august body the distinguished honor of appear- 
ing before you, and at the request of my friends, B. Eldridge, C. C. Gar- 
rett, W. W. Searcy, D. C. Giddings, Jr., and Beauregard Bryan of Bren- 
ham, Washington County, to present in their behalf through you to 
the Senate of Texas and the people of Texas the portrait of Jefferson 
Davis, one of our most illustrious countrymen. 

This magnificent portrait is the product of the genius of McArdle. 
The artist was for some twelve months during the war on detached duty 
in the city of Richmond, and saw Mr. Davis very often. It was also 
his good fortune to have as his model before him the great head of the 
Confederacy as he stood in tears before the artist's "Lee at the Wilder- 
ness." In 1875, during his visit to this State, Mrs. Davis, too, kindly 
assisted with her personal description of the man so dear to her and 
the people of the Southern States. She wrote: "Mr. Davis was five 
feet eleven and one-half inches; his eyes were blue and very bright; 
they were a decided blue, with large pupils; the arch of the eyelid was 
abrupt and the eye was well opened and very fearless in its expression; 
his hair was full and fell on his head in large soft curves — not curls, 
only it had never a stiff effect, and was very fine and abundant." 

The expression of the face is that of lofty and firm resolve, traceable 
no doubt to the matter contained in the dispatches held gracefully in his 
left hand. His right hand rests firmly and naturally on a map of Rich- 
mond defenses, showing the cause for which he contended, the map in 
turn resting upon the Constitution of the United States. 

The expression of the body is that of action; the fingers of the right 
hand are vigorously raised, while the left leg is boldly advanced, all 
together depicting the energy of action, mental and physical, which was 
a characteristic of Jefferson Davis. 

You see the battle-torn fiag which drapes the portrait. It is the flag 
of the regiment of Mississippians led by Jefferson Davis at Monterey. 
It was presented to the company of Capt. A. K. McClung by the ladies 
of Columbus, Mississippi, in 1846, when the volunteers were leaving for 
the Mexican war, and was received by the color sergeant, George W. 
Campbell, whose widow now treasures the relic. Miss Kate Austin made 
the presentation in behalf of the ladies whose deft fingers formed the 
flag from their own silk dresses, the white being from the wedding 
dress of Mrs. Dr. Malone, of Columbus. At the storming of Monterey 



APPENDIX. 651 



it was used as the regimental colors, and the bullet rents show that it 
was carried in the thickest of the fight. There the brave McClung fell 
desperately wounded. 

While I feel very deeply the compliment paid me, I could have wished 
that the duty, although pleasing, had been allotted to some more elo- 
quent tongue; yet I will say that it could not have been assigned to 
any one feeling a deeper veneration and love for the dead hero and 
statesman. I approach the subject with a full knowledge of the great 
undertaking, for the story of his life and death has been told in prose 
and song by many of the ablest minds of our country, and I fear that 
I can add but little to what has been said to interest you, and more 
especially as the most of you were present at the beautiful, interesting 
memorial services in the other chamber this afternoon. I shall, how- 
ever, endeavor to place before you something of the history of this great 
man, and of my observation and recollection of him, gained from the 
closest intimacy and friendship^ Should I dwell too long on his life, 
character, and many virtues, bear with me for the love I cherish for the 
memory of one of whose friendship while living I am greatly proud. 

HIS BIRTH, EARLY HISTORY, ETC. 

Jefferson Davis was born June 3, 1808, in Christian County, Ky., now 
Todd County; the village of Fair View the place. The Baptist church 
now stands on the very spot which gave him birth, the land having been 
quite recently donated by him (he being an Episcopalian and a poor 
man when making the gift). His father was Samuel Davis, a native 
of Georgia, and a captain of infantry at the siege of Savannah during 
the Revolution. While yet an infant his father removed to Wilkinson 
County, Mississippi. After attending the neighborhood schools, in 1824, 
at the age of 16 he entered West Point, graduating in 1828. Then an 
infantry officer, he was assigned to duty on the western frontier, where 
he remained until 1833. 

An occurrence took place while stationed there showing the fine sense 
of honor which ever characterized the man. The officer in command 
having been guilty of excesses and unsoldierly conduct, the officer com- 
manding the department desired Captain Davis to prefer charges; he 
declined. The officer insisted and threatened proceedings against Davis 
if he continued to refuse. Davis then told him that he would resign 
rather than prefer the charges, and when his reasons for refusing were 
demanded, his reply was, "his dismissal would result in my promotion." 
Shortly after he was transferred to a dragoon regiment. After a suc- 
cessful campaign against the Indians, he resigned in 183.5. He left the 
army for the purpose of fullfilling an engagement of seA^eral years stand- 
ing, and married the daughter of Gen. Zachary Taylor (subsequently 
President of the United States). It may be stated here that much has 
been said about Davis running away with the General's daughter. It's 
a great mistake. It is true that the General made some objections. The 
mother was dead, but they were married at the home of a near relative 



652 , LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



of the bride. After the battle of Buena Vista the General remarked 
"that his daughter was a better judge of men than he." After marrying 
he became a cotton planter in Warren County, Mississippi. He lost his 
wife shortly afterwards, and lived in great seclusion until 1843. In 
those long years he we^s reading, thinking, and preparing himself to 
meet the subsequent demands made upon him by his fellow men. 

POLITICAL CAEEEK. 

In 1843 he for the first time engaged in politics. In 1844 he was 
chosen a presidential elector in the Polk campaign. In 1845 he was 
elected to Congress. In June, 1846, at the commencement of hostilities 
between the United States and Mexico, he was elected colonel of the 
Mississippi regiment. It would be useless to dwell at any length upon 
his marked ability and gallantry as a soldier in that war. The history 
of the times has given him and the gallant Mississippians under his 
command a name for patriotism and heroism on the battle field that 
will last to all time. He was seriously wounded at the bloody battle of 
Buena Vista, remaining, however, in his saddle and in command the 
entire day. In consequence of this wound and his continuing on horse- 
back for hours afterward, he was compelled to return home on crutches. 
Previous to his return President Polk had appointed him a brigadier- 
general of volunteers. He declined to accept the appointment, because 
he denied the right of the President to make such appointment, con- 
tending that volunteers were militia, and the State had the appointment 
of officers under the Constitution. Thus it will be seen that he was ever 
found battling for the reserved rights of the States and resisting all 
encroachments of the Federal government upon the States. In 1847, 
in consequence of the death of a Mississippi senator, he was appointed 
by the Governor to the vacancy. In January, 1848, he was unanimously 
elected by the Legislature to fill the unexpired term, and in 1850 was 
elected for the full term as his own successor. In the United States 
Senate he was chairman of the military committee. He took a promi- 
nent and active part in the debates on the compromise measures of 1850, 
opposing Douglas and others in their theory of squatter sovereignty, 
and advocating as a means of pacification the extension of the Missouri 
compromise line to the Pacific. He was Secretarj^ of War during Mr. 
Pierce's administration, serving the entire four years. As Secretary of 
War he was laborious, full of energy, activity, originality. It was he 
who introduced camels for service on the western plains, an improved 
system of infantry tactics, effected the substitution of iron for wood in 
gun carriages, secured rifled muskets and rifles and the use of minie 
balls, and advocated the increase of the defenses of the seacoast by heavy 
guns and the use of large grain powder. 

While in the Senate he advocated as a military necessity, and as a 
means of preserving the Pacific territory to the Union, the construction 
of a military railway across the continent; and as Secretary of War 
he was put in charge of the surveys of the various routes proposed, per- 



APPENDIX. 653 



haps for a similar reason— that he had advocated the improvement. He 
was also put in charge of the extensions of the United States capitol 
building. The southern route recommended by him was one of the routes 
subsequently chosen. When Congress met in the fall of 1860 he was 
appointed one of the Senate committee of thirteen to report some prac- 
ticable adjustment of the controversies which then threatened the dis- 
solution of the Union. He wished to be excused, but at the solicitation 
of friends consented to serve, then avowing his willingness to make any 
sacrifice to avert the impending struggle. The committee consisted of 
men belonging to the three political divisions of the Senate, the States 
Rights men of the South, Radicals of the North, and Northern Demo- 
crats, with one member who did not acknowledge himself as belonging 
to any one of the three divisions,— Mr. Crittenden, an old-time Whig 
and the original mover of the compromise resolution. The Northern 
Radicals failed to sanction any substantive proposition. Finally the 
committee reported their failure to find anything on which the three 
divisions could unite. Mr. Douglas, who was a member of the com- 
mittee, defiantly challenged the Northern Radicals to tell what they 
wanted. As they had refused everything, he claimed that they ought 
to be willing to tell what they proposed to do. 

Senator Davis remained in his seat until officially informed that Mis- 
sissippi had passed the ordinance of secession. He then took formal 
leave of the Senate in a most touching and dignified manner, announc- 
ing for the last time in that body the opinions he had so often expressed 
as to State sovereignty, and as a consequence of it, the right of a State 
to withdraw its delegated powers. Before he reached his State he was 
appointed by the convention of Mississippi commander-in-chief of its 
army, with the rank of major-general, and he at once proceeded with 
the task of organization. He went to his home in Warren County in 
order to prepare for what he believed was to be a long and severe 
struggle. He was not permitted to remain at home, for he was very 
soon'^notified that he had been elected Provisional President of the Con- 
federate States, and although reluctant to accept the position, the cir- 
cumstances surrounding the country would not justify a refusal, and 
he was inaugurated at Montgomery, Alabama, on February 18, 1861, 
with Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia, as Vice-President. 

In his autobiography, from which I take the facts of his life before 
my acquaintance with him, he said: "In the selection of a cabinet I 
wks relieved from a difficulty which surrounds that duty of the Presi- 
dent of the United States, for there were 'no sections' and 'no party 
distinctions.' All aspirations, ambitions, and interests had been merged 
in the great desire for Confederate independence." He asserted in his 
inaugural address "that necessity, not choice, had led to the secession 
of the Southern States; that as an agricultural people their policy was 
peace and free commerce with all the world ; that the constituent parts, 
not the system of government, had been changed." 

FoUow'int; the manv able writers and distinguished orators who have 
written and spoken of the illustrious dead, whose portrait we behold to- 



654 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



day, those that have said so much of his patriotism, his great intellect, 
his grand integrity of purpose in all things, his Christian virtues, his 
heroism, I trust that you, my friends and the people of this grand Em- 
pire State of ours, with whom I have been so closely linked for the past 
fifty-four years, will not charge me Avith presumption or guilty of super- 
erogation because I may speak of my friend and grand chief as I learned 
to know him from constant association under circumstances never fail- 
ing to develop the characteristics and metal of the man. I had met Mr. 
Davis in 1860 in Washington as a United States senator, and while 
knowing but little of him personally, he was of course known to me, as 
he was to all men who read, as an army officer, a distinguished soldier, 
a brilliant senator, an active and able cabinet officer. 

I also knew him as the man that Ben Butler, of Massachusetts, sitting 
within a few feet of me at the Charleston convention in 18G0, had voted 
for fifty-six times as a suitable person to be President of the United 
States, so that I was prepared to meet a diatinguished man. In my view 
he came up fully to the standard fixed upon him at that day, and stood 
as the peer of any man then in the councils of the government. Enter- 
taining these views, as soon as I was chosen Governor of the State of 
Texas in 1861, I repaired to Richmond, Va., that I might take counsel 
of this great mind and endeavor to so shape my course touching the war 
as to give strength and prosperity to the Confederate cause. I found 
him then at the front, where he always was when his civil duties per- 
mitted. 

I was again confirmed in my previously formed opinion of his ability, 
integrity, and patriotism. Returning home I was inaugurated, and 
through my administration Texas kept in harmony with the govern- 
ment at Richmond, putting into the Confederate service 90,000 men. 
Upon the expiration of my term as Governor, entering the army, and 
while serving in Louisiana, Mr. Davis appointed me on his staff, with 
the rank of colonel of cavalry, had my nomination confirmed by the 
Senate M'ithout my knowledge, and requested me, if I accepted, to re- 
port at once for duty : that he wished an officer near him as a repre- 
sentative from the tranp-Mississippi country. 

After an immediate and hurried consultation with Generals Wharton, 
Hardeman, and Harrison, and others of my military associates, I left 
for Richmond in a few hours. My reception was all I could have de- 
sired. Mr. Davis, always kind and polite, assured me of his pleasure 
at my coming so promptly, and made me feel quite at home in his mili- 
tary family. 

My first impression when I entered into his presence confirmed my 
previously formed opinion of his grand and dignified character, of his 
patriotism and devotion to the work to which he had been called by a 
trusting people. Constant attendance day by day upon the executive, 
while in his office, or during his very frequent visits to the field, the 
camp, and the hospital, founded in my heart a strong love for the man, 
and still more increased my admiration for the soldier and statesman. 

Frequently visiting his home in Richmond and seeing him with, his 



APPENDIX. 655 



talented and lovely wife, surrounded by his children, I knew him as the 
noble husband and affectionate Christian parent. 

Beside the happiness of his family, he appeared never to be concerned 
about anything but the welfare of his people. 

From the day I took service with him to the very moment that we 
were so cruelly separated, subsequent to our capture, his request that I 
should be placed in the same prison with him being denied, all through 
his triumph and his adversity, I witnessed his unselfishness. He dis- 
played more self-abnegation than any human being I have ever known. 
While commander-in-chief, with thousands at his bidding, he invariably 
declined escorts and guard, and when cautioned about exposing himself 
to danger he always replied, "I have no fear for myself," and in the 
most unpretentious manner he would visit the lines of the army oftener 
with one aide than more. While fond of society he rarely, though often 
pressed, ever sought it during the war, it being his pleasant duty to 
give every hour of his time to his country. While burdened with 
weighty matters of state, he was kindly attentive to all classes of peo- 
ple. He was as polite and affable to the humblest soldier or his mes- 
senger boy as to the officer of highest rank in the army. For this, and 
his many great virtues, he was loved by all who served near his person. 
He was always welcomed with great respect and cordiality when visit- 
ing the troops in their quarters. It has been asserted that he was harsh 
and severe to those with whom he differed. This is an entire misappre- 
hension of his nature and disposition. Though tenacious of his own 
opinions and quite fixed in his judgments when formed, he seemed to me 
to be much more tolerant than other men of ability and power with 
whom I have been associated. While others would be intolerant and 
very exacting during our struggle, he would be the apologist of many 
who failed in their duties, treating delinquents with compassion and 
leniency. I may here be permitted to state as a historical fact that he 
never signed the death warrant of a soldier, and upon one memorable 
occasion the papers were sent him condemning a soldier to death for 
desertion. The papers showed letter after letter had been received by 
the soldier about the distressed condition of his family. They were 
suffering from sickness and want. Mr. Davis indorsed on the papers, 
"I would have gone home under such circumstances," which of course 
saved the life of the soldier. 

HIS VISIT TO FKAXCE, ENGLAND, AND SCOTLAND. 

After the war was over, I had the good fortune of traveling with him 
in France, England, and Scotland. It is known that as an orator he 
was seldom equaled; as a conversationalist he surpassed all I have ever 
met. His accurate observations and extensive reading made him most 
charming as a companion, and as a traveling companion the life of any 
party. 

He visited those countries for the purposes of business and to build 
up his shattered health, brought about by great strain upon him and 



■656 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



long imprisonment. In his travels he was always the same dignified 
and elegant gentleman that he was while a citizen, senator, cabinet 
oflBcer, or President. He had friends and admirers wherever he went. 
He was always attractive and instructive in conversation. He was 
greatly appreciated and admired by those with whom he came in con- 
tact; particularly was this the case in France and Scotland. We visited 
the homes of Shakespeare, Scott, and Burns, all favorite authors of his. 
From Scott and Burns he freely quoted. While we traveled through 
Scotland with his friends, he would describe their battlefields, their 
heroes, quote Scott, and recite Bums in such a beautiful and accurate 
manner that in a little book published subsequently in Glasgow it is 
said, in speaking of his visit, "that if the works of Scott were destroyed 
the ex-President of the Confederate States could reproduce them." 

In visiting the ship yards on the Clyde and Dumbarton, the ship 
builders would be so impressed with his knowledge of ship building that 
they would inquire if he had ever been connected with the building of 
ships; and so his knowledge of woodcraft and botany, and his great in- 
formation as to animals and all subjects of discussion and conversation, 
were considered truly surprising. 

VISIT TO TEXAS IN 1875. 

But a greater pleasure than being in these foreign countries with 
him was accorded me when he visited Texas. I will tell you about that 
joyful time. 

From the day Mr. Davis was released from prison by the United 
States government the people of Texas were solicitous to have him pay 
-them a visit. They were not moved by idle curiosity ; they were anxious 
to show the love and respect they bore him. This kindly feeling and re- 
spect was recipi'ocated by him. He knew them as brave soldiers in the 
early settlement of the Republic, he had witnessed their gallantry in 
the war between the United States and Mexico, and later in the war 
between the States, and thus drawn toward them he invariably replied 
to their solicitations that as soon as a favorable opportunity offered he 
would visit the people he had ever held in such high regard. Finally 
in May, 1875, a committee of citizens invited him to visit the State dur- 
ing the fair at Houston. The following characteristic reply was re- 
ceived: 

"ViCKSBURG, Miss., May 5, 1875. 

"Col. F. R. Lubbock: My Dear Sir — I am engaged in a matter of 
much importance to me and of no little complexity. If it is possible 
for me to arrange matters so that I can leave, it will give me sincere 
pleasure to meet the good people of Texas, whose kindness impresses 
me with heartfelt gratitude. 

"As heretofore, I am compelled to say, do not expect me, but if I do 
not go the regret will surely be deeper on my part than I can suppose 
it will be on that of others. As ever, truly your friend, 

"Jefferson Davis." 



APPENDIX. 657 



He came, however, on a very short notice to the committee. He was 
received at Galveston with marked respect and attention, although he 
arrived on Sunday, and attended divine services at the Episcopal church 
during the day. The next morning he proceeded to Houston. The notice 
of his coming was very short, but thousands thronged the city to meet 
their illustrious ex-President, and never was an arrival marked by 
stronger demonstrations of love and affection from a people. His ad- 
dress at the fair grounds captured his hearers, old and young. The 
Association of Veterans of the Texas Revolution were present. 

He spoke to them specially, and the old men grew wild at his magnifi- 
cent tribute to them, as he enumerated the wonderful results they had 
achieved in giving to the country the great State of Texas. A very 
touching incident occurred while he was in that city. The survivors 
of the Davis Guard, a company composed entirely of Irishmen, desired 
to call on him in a body. He accorded them an interview. The writer 
of this with a few other citizens were present. It was a scene never to 
be forgotten. He made them a short speech, in which he referred to 
their brave conduct in defense of their adopted State. That gallant 
band of warm hearts and strong arms, each and every one, shook the 
hand of their President, as they called him, and not a dry eye was there 
among all those sturdy men as they parted from him. This company of 
forty-two men is mentioned in "Davis' Rise and Fall of the Con- 
federate States," volume 1, pages 236 and 240, as having performed one 
of the greatest feats during the entire war, resulting in saving Texas 
from invasion and probable devastation. The people appeared loath to 
part with him, but he had to journey on. In passing through the coun- 
try to Austin, at every town and station the citizens assembled in great 
numbers, and as he would appear upon the platform of the car, in re- 
sponse to their call, great cheering and hearty greeting came from an 
admiring people. The train was behind time in reaching Austin, the 
capital of Texas. It was raining, but men, women, and children stood 
where they had been for hours. They had improvised torchlights and 
waited for the train, that they might obtain a glimpse of their loved 
chief. He was received by the military, and escorted to his quarters, 
where he was met by the Governor of the State and others. 

The next day thousands of men, women, and children called to shake 
his hand, and tell him how they honored nnd loved him. While at the 
seat of government he had every attention that could be shown him. 
His reception at Austin will never be forgotten, even by the little chil- 
dren that took part in it. 

The people having heard of his coming, his trip from Austin to Dallas 
was like a triumphal march. Never before or since has such an out- 
pouring of the people been seen in Texas. Arriving at Dallas, he was 
received by the military, the civic associations, and an immense con- 
course of people, and his stay while in that city was one continued ova- 
tion. Men, women, and children were never satisfied until they had 



42 



658 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



an opportiiiiity ui seeing their honored guest, and mothers were proud 
to have him lay his hands upon their children by way of recognition. 

The people from every part of the State were sending committees for 
him to visit their particular sections or towns. He, however, found it 
necessary, from constant excitement and fatigue, to leave for his home 
in Memphis. On his way thither at Marshall, Texas, he was accorded 
the same hearty welcome and complimentary attentions that had been 
given him during his entire journey through the country. In fact, he 
was entertained and honored throughout the State more like a victorious 
general passing through the country on a triumphal march, after win- 
ning great battles, than a disfranchised citizen, the representative of a 
lost cause, with no emoluments or gifts to bestow, nothing being left 
him but his honor, his great brain, and his true and noble heart beating 
and hoping for the prosperity and happiness of his people. 

After he passed the borders of the State he was quite exhausted from 
his extended travel and hand-shaking. This trip made a lasting im- 
pression upon him. He loved to dwell on his visit to the "Lone Star 
State," and the welcome he received while there. It was the first really 
grand ovation that had been given him after the surrender of the armies 
of the Confederate States. My heart beats proudly when I think my 
State should be the first to publicly honor the man, not for his successes 
and the honors he had to bestow, but for the cause he represented and 
his own personal worth. Moreover, during his stay with us offers came 
from various localities tendering him a suitable and comfortable home 
if he would but consent to remain or return to the State. These offers 
he politely declined, as he had previously those of the same character 
from other States. Of late years he had many pressing invitations to 
visit Texas again. Circumstances prevented his coming. 

VISIT OF TEXANS TO MR. DAVIS. 

I have described his visit to our home in 1875. Now I will tell you 
about a visit made by a party of Texans to his home in Mississippi dur- 
ing the exposition at New Orleans. 

Having stated to a friend or two that I intended visiting Mr. Davis, 
it was mentioned at the hotel late in the evening, and on the following 
morning fifty-five Texans were at the train (a few ladies among them). 
Governor Ireland and the present Governor, James S. Hogg, were of the 
party. Arriving at Beauvoir, the home of Mr. Davis, we were received 
by him and his peerless wife with great courtesy and kindness. We were 
welcomed as Texans, the people of that State that had showered upon 
him so much honor and hospitality, and I venture to assert that every 
one of that party left delighted to have seen and taken by the hand the 
dignified master of Beauvoir. He recalled that visit many a time with 
pleasure, so appreciative was he of the attention of the company in 
going so far to see him. 



APPENDIX. 



659 



Gentlemen of the Senate: The donors of this portrait of Mr. Davis 
desire to place it in your chamber "to preserve his face to future genera- 
tions." These are their words. 

That is good, and you must endeavor to plant the truth, the whole 
truth, and nothing but the truth about him in their memory. In order 
to do this, you must take notice, as Mr. Ridpath, the historian, says, 
that there are two Jefferson Davises in history. I quote a paragraph 
from his pen: 

"Lest any foreigner shall read this article, let me say for his benefit 
that there are two JefTerson Davises in American history— one is a con- 
spirator, a rebel, a traitor, and the fiend of Andersonville. He is a 
myth evolved from the hell-smoke of cruel war, as purely imaginary a 
personage as Mephistopheles or the Hebrew devil. The other is a 
statesman with clean hands and pure heart, who served his people faith- 
fully from budding manhood to hoary age, without thought of self, with 
unbending integrity, and to the best of his great ability; he was a man 
of whom all his countrymen who knew him personally without distinc- 
tion of creed political are proud, and pioud that he was their country- 
man." 

Now I am willing to do my share of teaching for the benefit of future 
generations. I speak from my own knowledge, and can not permit the 
present opportunity to pass without placing upon record a positive de- 
nial of the assertion that Mr. Davis was cruel to Federal prisoners. 



FEDERAL PRISONERS. 



No man on earth more than Mr. Davis desired to see prisoners sup- 
plied with necessaries, and to have them exchanged as rapidly as pos- 
sible. It must be borne in mind that it was almost impossible at times 
for the Confederate States to feed their armies, and in very many in- 
stances, from the vigorous blockade kept up, it became impossible to get 
the necessary food and medicines for the sick. The families of the citi- 
zen soldiery near the battlefield frequently suffered for the necessaries 
of life. The Confederate States were in no way responsible for the non- 
exchange of prisoners. 

Medicines were declared contraband of war. Such an urgent necessity 
existed at one time for medicines that the Confederate government 
offered to make purchase of medicine from the United States authorities, 
to be used exclusively for the relief of Federal prisoners. They offered 
to pay gold, cotton, or tobacco for them, and even two or three "prices if 
required. 

At the same time assurances were given that the medicines would be 
used exclusively in the treatment of Federal prisoners, and moreover, 
agreed, if it was insisted on, that such medicines might be brought into 
the Confederate lines by the United States surgeons, and dispensed by 
them. To this offer, incredible as it may appear, no reply was ever re- 
ceived. On Januaiy 2, 1863, Mr. Davis says Mr. Alex. H. Stephens, 
Vice-President, received full authority, and with entire cointelligence 



LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



between them, undertook the mission to Washington to insure the ob- 
servance of the cartel and otherwise promote, as far as possible, human- 
ity in the existing war. He was traveling under a flag of truce. He 
stated in general terms the object of his mission, and asked permission 
to proceed to Washington. The officer telegraphed to his government at 
Washington, and was answered, "The request is inadmissible," etc. A 
single paragraph from the letter borne by Mr. Stephens will indicate 
the general object of his mission : 

"My whole purpose is to place this war on the footing of such as are 
waged by civilized people in modern time, and to divest it of the savage 
character which has been imposed on it by our enemies in spite of all 
our efforts and protests. War is full enough of unavoidable horrors, 
under all its aspects, to justify and even demand of any Christian ruler, 
who may be unhappily engaged in carrying it on, to seek to restrict its 
calamities and to divest it of all unnecessary severities." 

Colonel Ould, in July, 1863, wrote to Lieutenant-Colonel Ludlow, 
United States commissioner of exchange, thus: 

"Although you have many thousands of our soldiers now in confine- 
ment in your prisons, and especially in that horrible hold of death. Fort 
Delaware, you have not, for several weeks, sent us any prisoners. Dur- 
ing those weeks you have dispatched Captain Mulford with the steamer 
New York to City Point three or four times without any provisions. I 
ask you with no purpose of disrespect, what can you think of this covert 
attempt to secure the delivery of all your prisoners in our hands without 
the release of those of ours who are languishing in hopeless misery in 
your prisons and dungeons? 

"Robert Ould 
"Commissioner of Exchange." 

• Mr. Davis, when writing to General Lee for rejjort as to his failure to 
get proper exchanges, received only for his answer his frequent reply: 

"We have done everything in our power to mitigate the suffering of 
prisoners, and there is no just cause of further responsibility on our 
part." 

Why pursue this subject further? Suffice it to say, that hundreds 
of pages could be furnished showing that President Davis did all that 
man could do toward caring properly for Federal prisoners, and sought 
in every possible way to obtain prompt exchanges. 
History shows that the United States prisoners held by the 

Confederate States were 270,000 

Confederate prisoners held by United States were . 220,000 

United States prisoners died in Confederate hands 22,000 

•Confederate prisoners died in United States hands 26,000 

Thus it appears that the Confederates, with an excess of 50,000 pris- 
oners, had 4000 less deaths. 

Why should this have been so — with all of the advantages with the 
United States in having plenty and good food and medical attentions? 
Where should the censure rest? 



APPENDIX. 661 



CHARGE OF TREASON. 



Now, 1-iglit here, about that charge of treason, 1 must say a few words. 
Soon after Mr. Davis' capture rumors of every kind were rife in the 
land. He was to be tried by a drum-head court martial at once as 
accessory to the murder of Abraham Lincoln, and also for high treason. 
The charge as to his connection in any waj^ with the death of Mr. Lin- 
coln was so revolting and absurd among those of the North that knew 
Mr. Davis' character, that it soon was hushed and given up. Then they 
must prepare for his speedy trial for treason, and he was denounced 
over the land as a traitor. His case was immediately taken charge of 
by Mr. O'Conor, of New York, and other distinguished la^vyers. They 
soon had his case ready for trial under the indictment found. After 
two years of weary discomfort and incarceration at Fortress Monroe, 
he was bailed and permitted to leave the United States, and when it was 
finally announced that he would be tried he appeared in court more than 
willing to answer to every charge, when without much ceremony he was 
discharged, his bondsmen released, and he permitted to go free. It is. 
well authenticated that Chief Justice Chase declared that he could not 
be convicted of treason, and the government of the United States deter- 
mined wisely not to make the issue. 

Thus should have been put to rest forever the charge of treason, and 
the time will come when history will blot out the epithet of traitor so 
blatantly used by politicians and others of the present day, who have 
never yet comprehended the situation at the time of the separation of 
the States. 

The time has not yet come, however, for it was only the other day, 
just the day before you passed your resolutions in the Senate, I clipped 
from the Houston Post of February 18, 1891, this paragraph copied by 
it from the Illinois State Journal: 

"The Fort Worth Gazette says the first monument to the honor, in- 
tegrity, statesmanship, and manhood of Jefferson Davis is about to be 
unveiled at Pensacola, Florida. The Gazette glorifies the occasion to the 
extent of half a column. The affection of the South for the leader of 
the lost cause is possibly natural, but the erection of monuments to ex- 
ploit treason is a matter of doubtful propriety." 

Now, right here I will give you the words of INIr. Davis: 
"A traitor is one who violates his allegiance, and betrays his country." 
"A rebel is one who revolts from the country to which he owes 
allegiance." 

He held that his allegiance was due to his State, and was loyal to his 
State in following her fortunes after she withdrew from the Union. "A 
citizen's allegiance to the Federal government comes only through his 
allegiance to his State, for the Federal government was only the agent 
of the States which formed it, and they never surrendered their sover- 
eignty to it." 

Mr. Davis was often charged with obstinacy and hatred towards the 



662 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



goveinDient, because he failed to petition for pardon and his restoration 
to citizenship. Those making this charge failed to estimate the char- 
acter of this model man. He was conscious of having perpetrated no 
wrong; to ask pardon would imply that he had been guilty of crimes 
towards the government of the United States, which was sufficient to 
determine him as to his course, and, above all, he was the representative 
of millions of devoted men and women who believed with him that he 
was suffering vicarious punishment for them, and his noble soul would 
not permit him to brand them either as traitors or rebels, but to stand 
firmly and digniliedly on the assertion that they were a free and sover- 
eign people. 

Yes, gentlemen of the Legislature, let us understand this matter well 
ourselves, and then hand down the truth to our children that a man 
could be charged with treason and yet be "a statesman with clean hands 
and pure heart." We all know that eighteen hundred years ago Jesus 
of Nazareth was brought before the high priest, accused of blasphemy by 
the very nation that possessed the greatest religiovxs knowledge of the 
times, and yet to-day he is the prophet, priest, and king of the most 
intelligent nations of the earth. He is our light in religion and our hope 
of heaven. And in this generation Jefferson Davis is charged with 
treason by a government whose people above all are the most enlightened 
in the science of government, when we all do know how true he was in 
his allegiance to the Constitution. Then let us build monuments to his 
memory and hand down his political teachings to our children, that they 
may understand how to preserve for their own happiness and prosperity 
a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. 

The citizens of Washington County are on that line now, when they 
ask you, gentlemen of the Senate, to place that portrait in your cham- 
ber. Though silent, it will teach great political truths to us and future 
generations. 

So many versions have been given of the capture of Jefferson Davis 
that at the expense of fatiguing you, my friends, I must reproduce here 
a letter written by me for the Southern Historical Papers on August 2, 
1877. It occurs to me to do so because I was asked a few days ago by a 
gentleman in high position in the State government if President Davis 
was captured in a woman's dress. As you all know, I was with him on 
that occasion, and I have in my memory that exciting and sorrowful 
journey from Richmond; but I only wish to set at rest once again this 
idle tale, that even some of our own people may believe. Here is the 
letter: 

"Galveston, August 2, 1S77. 

"Maj. W. T. Walthall: Dear Sir — Yours of the 28th came to hand a 
day or two since, finding me very busy. At the earliest moment I 
perused the article you alluded to in your letter, which appeared in the 
Weekhj Times of Philadelphia of July 7th. 

"It does really appear that certain parties with a view of keeping 
themselves before the public will continue to write the most base. 



APPENDIX. 663 



calumnious, and slanderous articles, calculated to keep the wounds of 
the past open and sore. Such a writer now appears in Gen. James H. 
Wilson, whose sole aim seems to be that of traducing and misrepresent- 
ing the circumstances of the capture of President Davis and his small 
party, who, as it appears, were pursued by some 15,000 gallant soldiers 
commanded by this distinguished general (Wilson). I shall leave it to 
you and others better qualified than myself to reply to this chapter of 
the 'unwritten history of the war.' 

"I have this, however, to say: I left Richmond with President Davis 
in the same car, and from that day to the time of our separation, he 
being detained at Fortress Monroe and I sent to Fort Delaware, he was 
seldom out of my sight day or night. The night before the morning of 
our capture Col. William Preston Johnston slept very near the tent of 
Mrs. Davis, with whose party (Mrs. Davis') we had accidentally fallen 
in. Mr. Davis and his party had no tents. But Mr. Davis was in Mrs. 
Davis' tent that night. Col. John Taylor Wood and myself were under 
a pine tree some fifty or one hundred feet off. Just before day, a light 
rain falling, and very cold, I was aroused by sharp firing. I imme- 
diately prepared for an emergency, and was ready in a few moments 
with my horse saddled for a move. Very soon our camp was surrounded 
by mounted men. I was commanded to surrender, and an attempt was 
made to rob me. I refused to give up my things, such as saddle bags, 
Mexican blanket, etc. The firing continued. I abused the Federal sol- 
diers around me, and told them they had better repair to the firing and 
stop it, as they were slaughtering their own men. As soon as there was 
sufficient li,ght they discovered that they had been fighting with their 
own soldiers and had killed and wounded quite a number. In a few 
moments I joined Mr. Davis and his family. I saw nothing of any at- 
tempted disguise, neither did I hear anything of it until some time after 
I had been in Fort Delaware. I then pronounced it a base falsehood. 
We were guarded by the Fourth Michigan cavalry, commanded by 
Colonel Pritchard, until we reached Fortress Monroe. I talked freely 
with officers and men, and on no occasion did I hear anything of the 
kind mentioned. Judge Reagan and myself had made a compact that 
we would never desert or leave Mr. Davis, remaining to contribute if 
possible to his comfort and well being and to share his fortunes what- 
ever might befall. My bod mate. Col. J. T. Wood, one of the bravest 
and purest of men, having been a naval officer of the United States, and 
having been charged with a violation of the laws of nations in certain 
captures he had made, deemed it prudent to make his escape. He in- 
formed me of his intentions and invited mo to accompany him. I de- 
clined to avail myself of the favorable opportunity presented, telling him 
of my compact with Judge Reagan. He did make good his escape, land- 
ing in Cuba with General Breckenridge and Mr. Benjamin, members of 
the Davis cabinet. The conduct of the captors on that occasion (the 
capture) was marked by anything but decency and soldierly bearing. 
They found no preparation for defense and encountered no resistance 
whatever. Mr. Davis, Judge Reagan, Col. William Preston Johnston, 



664 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Col. John Taylor Wood, a young soldier, Barnwell, of South Carolina, 
who also escaped, and myself, constitiited the President's party. Col. 
Burton N. Harrison, the private secretary of the President, and a few 
paroled soldiers, were with Mrs. Davis and her family, protecting them 
with their baggage, etc. Upon taking the carnp they plundered and 
robbed every one of all and every article they could get hold of. They 
stole the watches, jewelry, money, clothing, etc. I was the only one of 
the party not robbed. The man and patriot who but a few days before 
was at the head of a government was treated by his captors with un- 
called for indignity, so much so that I became completely exasperated 
and unhinged, and demanded of the officers to protect him from insult, 
threatening to kill the parties engaged in such conduct. Mrs. Davis was 
robbed of her horses, her own personal property presented to her by the 
people of Richmond. The money, for which she sold valuables, jewelry, 
silverware, etc., was stolen, and no effort was made to have it returned 
to her. Time and time again it was promised that the watches, money, 
etc., stolen should be returned, that the command would be paraded and 
the stolen property returned to the owners. But it was never done, nor 
any attempt made to do so. A Captain Douglas stole Judge Reagan's 
saddle and used it from the day we were captured. They appropriated 
our horses and other property. 

"But why dwell upon this wretchedly disagreeable subject? I hope 
and pray that the whole truth will some day be written, and I feel 
assured when it is done we of the South will stand to all time a vin- 
dicated people. As for him who is the target for all of these miserable 
scribblers and those unscrupulous and corrupt men living on the abuse 
heaped on the Southern people, fanning the embers of the late war, 
when he is gone hence history will write him as one of the truest and 
purest of men, a dignified and bold soldier, an intelligent statesman, a 
man whose whole aim in life was to benefit his people and his country. 
I knew him well. I have been with him in prosperity and adversity, 
and have ever found him good and true. How wretched the spirit that 
will continue to traduce such a man. How miserable and contemptible 
the party that will refuse to recognize such a man as a citizen of the 
country, in whose defense his best days were spent and his blood freely 
shed. I have the honor to be, yours respectfully, 

"F. R. Lubbock." 
I 

The above letter was sustained by papers from Colonels Johnston, 
Wood, and Harrison of the President's staflT, and the Hon. John H. 
Reagan, Postmaster-General of the Confederate States. I will add a 
few words from parties in the Federal army. 

James H. Parker, of Ebernsville, Pa., in writing to the Argus, of 
Portland, Me., in speaking of Mr. Davis, says: 

"When it was known that he was certainly taken, some newspaper 
correspondent (I knew his name at the time) fabricated the story about 
his disguise in an old woman's dress. I heard the whole matter talked 
over as a good joke, and the officers who knew better never took the 



APPENDIX. G6.> 



trouble to deny it. Perhaps they thought the Confederate President 
deserved all the contempt that could be put upon him. I thought so, 
too, only I never would perpetrate a falsehood that by any means 
would become history. And further, I never would slander a woman 
who has shown so much devotion as Mrs. Davis has to her husband. No 
matter how wicked he is or may have been, I defy any person to find 
a single officer or soldier who was present at the capture of Jefferson 
Davis who will say upon honor that he was disguised in women's clothes, 
or that his wife acted in any way unladylike or undignified on that 
occasion. I go for trying him for his crimes, and if he is found guilty 
punishing him. But I would not lie about him when the truth will 
make it bad enough." 

T. H. Peabody, a la^vjer of St. Louis, one of the captors of Mr. Davis, 
in a speech before Ransom Post, G. A. R., a few days after the death of 
Mr. Davis said: 

"Jefferson Davis was captured by the Fourth Michigan cavalry on 
the early morning of May 10, 1865, at Irwinton, in southern Georgia. 
With him were Mr. Eeagan of Texas, his Postmaster-General, Captain^ 
Moody of Mississippi, an old neighbor of the Davis family, Governor 
Lubbock of Texas, Colonels Harrison and Johnston of his staff^ Mrs. 
Davis and her four children — Maggie aged 10, Jeff 8, Willie 5, and a 
girl baby (Winnie), a brother and sister of Mrs. Davis, a white and one 
colored servant woman, a small force of cavalry, a few others, a small 
train of horses, mules, wagons, and an ambulance. Among the horses 
was a span of carriage horses presented to Mrs. Davis by citizens of 
Richmond during the heyday of the Confederacy, also a splendid saddle 
horse, the pride of the ex-President himself. On the eleventh day of 
May, the next day after the capture, and while on our way back to 
Macon, as officer of the guard over the distinguished prisoner, I rode 
by the side of Mr. Reagan, now senator from Texas. I found him a 
very fine gentleman. During that day's march a courier from ^lacon 
notified us in printed slips of the $100,000 reward offered for Mr. Davis' 
capture, which notice connected Mr. Davis with the assassination of 
President Lincoln. When Mr. Reagan read the notice he earnestly pro- 
tested that Mr. Davis had no connection whatever with the sorrowful 
affair. History has shown he had none. Besides the suit of men's 
clothes worn by INIr. Davis, he had on when captured Mrs. Davis' large 
water-proof cloak or robe, thrown on over his fine gray suit, and a 
blanket shawl thrown over his head and shoulders. This shawl and 
robe were finally deposited in the archives of the War Department at 
Washington by order of Secretary Stanton." 

The story of the hoopskirt, sunbonnet and calico wrapper has no 
real existence, and was started in the fertile brain of the reporters and 
in the illustrated papers of the day. 

Members of the Legislature and ladies and gentlemen, I fear that I 
have already detained you too long. 1 feel, however, that I could not 
say less. I have endeavored to give you something of the character, 
ability, and usefulness of the great man whose portrait is presented 



666 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



to you this day. I have done so in my plain, unvarnished manner. 
Would that I could have done so in beautiful and elegant language and 
grand oratory. 

I would say only a few words about his departure from us. I had 
prayed Providence in His kindness that should I survive my grand old 
chief so dearly loved that I might have health and strength to pay the 
last sad duty of respect and love to him. This was granted to me. I 
was a chosen pall-bearer, and followed him to his last resting place. 
I had been with him on many a journey at home and abroad, in peace 
and in war, in victory and defeat, while in high positions of State and 
as disfranchised citizens, and the estimate that I placed upon the man 
was in keeping with the princely obsequies made for him by the people 
of the South. It was a grand sight to behold — the vast throngs that 
had gathered from all parts of the country to view the remains of the 
distinguished dead. It seemed as though Providence had brought him 
to die in the great city of the South, so approachable from every por- 
tion of the Union, and gave the most lovely day for the ceremonies. 
Never has there been gathered so many thousands of mourners at the 
burial of a mortal man. 

I do not know how better I can conclude my remarks than to repeat 
what I said at the mass meeting of the Confederate Veterans on the 
day of the burial. General Gordon was in the chair : 

"Honorable Commander: What can I add to the beautiful and 
patriotic speeches that have been made to-night by the distinguished 
veterans assembled to do honor to the memory of our illustrious chief- 
tain. I must venture, however, to utter a few words to give relief to my 
aching heart. Standing in the grand rotunda of the capitol at Austin, 
Texas, when the news was announced that Jefferson Davis had passed 
over the river, from the fulness of my heart I said: 'Jefferson Davis 
dead! Then the light of the greatest and and best man of the century 
has been extinguished. Jefferson Davis! the embodiment of patriotism, 
the true soldier, the intelligent statesman, the ripe scholar, the refined 
gentleman, and above all, the earnest follower of Christ.' Sir, it was 
my good fortune to be most intimately connected with this great and 
noble man. From this association I soon learned to love him for his 
noble manhood, his devotion to his country, in his earnestness in the 
discharge of the great trusts committed to his hands by a devoted and 
admiring people, and for his tender care of those connected with him, 
his suavity to his inferiors in rank, his fair dealing in all things with 
all men. I loved him for his grand heart. I took pleasure in being 
near him and listening to his conversation so full of intelligence, so 
chaste, so elegant, and there was soul in it all. My comrades, he was 
a grand man, — the greatest, all in all, his country has produced. They 
say he is dead, comrades. He is beyond our sight, but he is not dead. 
He lives with Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and Albert Sydney Johnston and 
others of our great and pure men. As the distinguished bishop said to- 
day, when on the December midnight the worn warrior joined the ranks 
of the patient and prevailing ones, who loved their land with love far 



APPENDIX. 667 



brought, if one of the miglity dead gave the challenge, 'Art thou of us?' 
he answered: 'I am here.' Yes, we all know such as he make up the 
kingdom of heaven. He is not dead. He lives a higher life above. He 
is not dead, though we have laid him in the tomb. For he lives in our 
hearts, and he will ever live in the hearts of our children."' 

At the moment of presentation, the portrait was unveiled bv' Miss 
Ima Hogg. 

Hon. George C. Pendleton, Lieutenant-Governor, and ex officio presi- 
dent of the Senate, received the portrait on behalf of the Senate, in 
an eloquent address. The hall was filled to its full seating capacity, 
many ladies being present, and the program carried out was interesting 
and instructive. 

Hon. R. T. Milner, speaker of the House, occupied a seat on the 
right of Lieutenant-Governor Pendleton, and members of the House 
seats that had been prepared for them. 



MILITARY BOARD. 

Efforts to negotiate the United States Texas indemnity bonds by 
Geo. H. Giddings and Maj. Pryor Lea failing, the board issued a circu- 
lar address to the people proposing to buy cotton from them, pay for 
same in 8 per cent State bonds, have the cotton hauled to Mexico, sell 
it there, and with the proceeds purchase machinery, arms, munitions 
of war, and other needed supplies. The circular met with a prompt 
response. Competent agents (W. R. Thomas, I. H. Thomason, J. L. Gay, 
J. F. Roberts, W. B. P. Gaines, M. K. Ryan, A. S. Drennan, John P. 
Key, C. L. Cleveland, and John M. Dancy) were employed, who, accord- 
ing to a report made by the board to the Ninth Legislature, in Febru- 
ary, 1863, had purchased to that date 3659 bales of cotton, which had 
been hauled to points on the lower Rio Grande and sold to good ad- 
vantage, enabling the board to successfully inaugurate plans it had de- 
cided upon for the comfort and protection of the people of Texas. 

"On the 31st of March last," says the report, "the board appointed 
James T. D. Wilson (of Houston) as agent, with directions to proceed 
to Mexico and purchase arms, munitions of war, clothing, and shoes. A 
portion of the business entrusted to Mr. Wilson it is not deemed com- 
patible with the public interest to make public, but will be fully ex- 
plained by the board to the honorable committee. The board furnished 
Mr. Wilson with some means, and issued ample instructions to guide 
him in his mission. Mr. Wilson could not make use of a portion of the 
valuables entrusted to him, but succeeded in purchasing an invoice of 
powder, caps, and lead, and a small lot of bagging and rope. . 
He executed his agency with promptness and efficiency and would ac- 
cept no compensation for his services, except the actual outlay for 
traveling expenses. ... On the 20th of April, 1802, the board ex- 
tended the appointment of agent to Mr. John M. Moore, of Corpus 



668 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Christi, a gentleman well acquainted with the Mexican market, with 
instructions to visit Mexico for the purpose of purchasing arms, muni- 
tions of war, and other articles of necessity. The board agreed to place 
at the disposal of Mr. Moore from 2000 to 4000 bales of cotton. Under 
this agreement he has furnished goods to the amount of $106,154.67." 

Up to December 25th, the date of his report, 1133 bales of cotton 
were delivered to him, 153 bales were at the depot at San Antonio await- 
ing transportation. December 31st the board had outstanding contracts 
for the delivery of cotton to it valued at $60,000. At that time $150,- 
000 or $200,000 worth of goods were at the mouth of the Rio Grande 
awaiting facilities to land, and other large consignments were on the 
way. The amount expended for cotton [covering a limited period. — Ed.] 
to December 31st is stated at $143,274.96, and for ordnance and other 
military stores, machinery and other articles of prime necessity $64,- 
015.09. 

Among the agents who rendered especial service to the State by their 
intelligence, business ability, and zeal may be mentioned R. & D. G. 
Mills and Ball, Hutchings & Co.'* of Galveston; John M. Swisher & Co. 
(Swisher was a San Jacinto veteran) and Lavenburg & Bro., of Aus- 
tin; M. N. Rogers, of Georgetown, and Droege, Oetling & Co., of Mata- 
moros. Through Ball, Hutchings & Co. 50,000 wool and cotton cards 
were imported by way of Brownsville and distributed to the people of 
Texas at $5 to $10 per pair. The price charged in the open market at 
that time was from $25 to $40 per pair. Consequently from $1,250,000 
to $2,000,000 were saved to our people on this transaction. The suc- 
cess attending this single effort and the good results flowing from it 
were sufficient, if nothing more had been accomplished, to sustain the 
wisdom of the Legislature in creating the board. 

In order to clothe the soldiers and help soldiers' wives and widows, 
we employed the latter to make clothing for the army, and the base- 
ment of the capitol was turned into a sewing room; sometimes as 
many as 100 would be at work. 

Later we imported machinery for the manufacture of cards. There- 
upon Eubanks & Co. established a card factory in Williamson County, 
some other private individuals embarked in the business, and we made 
some at the penitentiary. With additional importations that we suc- 
ceeded in making, the public need in this direction was soon amply sup- 
plied. 

To December 31st the board had entered into contracts with Tucker, 
Sherrod & Co., of Lancaster, Dallas County; Whitecarver, Campbell & 
Co., of Rusk, Cherokee County; Billups & Hassel, of Plenitude, Andterson 
County: Short, Biscoe & Co., of Tyler, Smith County, and N. B. Tanner, 
of Bastrop, for the manufacture of ai'ms, aggregating 6000 rifles (part of 
the Mississippi and part of the Enfield type, and about one-half with bay- 

•Ball Hatchings & Co. engaged actively and extensively in shipping cotton into 
Mexico, and became successsul blockade runners employing in the latter service 
foreign vessels that before the close of the war arrived at and departed from Galves- 
ton on every change or dark of the moon with almost the regularity of mail steamers. 



APPENDIX. 



onet attachment), and 3000 sixshooters, — the hitter to be made by 
Tucker, Sherrod & Co. The board made liberal advances to the parties 
(secured by good bonds) to enable them to establish the necessary plants 
and carry out their contracts. This they had some difficulty in doing 
owing to scarcitjf of material and labor. The mechanics, like all other 
classes, had volunteered to fight the battles of the country, and it proved 
impossible to get a sufficient number of competent men detailed from 
the army. Insurmountable as these obstacles vi^ould appear, they were 
in a measure overcome and large quantities of arms of good quality 
were manufactured, delivered to the board and supplied to our soldiers. 

Aided by the board, William Rowan had established a powder mill at 
Waxahachie, George Pfeiffer one at Corpus Christi, Constantino Foster 
one in Burnet County, and W. H. D. Carrington and associates one in 
Travis County. Later other mills were established at various points in 
the State where needed. The report says that the cannon foundry had 
been put in successful operation by the "able superintendent" selected 
by the board (VVm. McCarton), and that the sum of $33,523.11 had been 
expended for the necessary buildings, furnace, steam engine, tools, lum- 
ber for gun-ca'rriages, and labor, and that the percussion cap factory 
was running full time and turning out large quantities of caps of su- 
perior quality. 

We made in the State all the goods, arms, and munitions we could, 
and used every means in our power to induce citizens to embark in 
manufacturing in all practicable lines, — that, too, I am gratified to 
say, with success. 

John F. Torrey, a man of great energy and sterling honesty, estab- 
lished a flour mill and woolen mill at New Braunfels before the war, — 
one of the earliest pioneer manufacturing enterprises in Texas. Aided 
by the board, he greatly enlarged the plant, and together with the 
Runges, of Galveston (citizens equally loyal to the South), established 
an additional cotton and woolen mill in 1863, and turned out from his 
establishments large quantities of excellent flour, good cloth, and very 
superior blankets. I knew Torrey intimately. He was a Texas veteran 
and a true patriot. 

Other men of pluck and enterprise, similarly encouraged, established 
factories in various parts of the State, realized good profits on capital 
invested, and contributed largely toward preventing our people from 
absolutely suffering for the necessaries of life during the war. Salt is 
an article of prime necessity, the absence of which can be supplied by 
no substitvite. A lump of it on the gold coast of Africa has been 
known to bring treble its weight in the precious metal. Fortunately we 
had an inexhaustible supply within our borders, — at the salt lakes near 
El Paso, — where the only labor required was to shovel it into carts ; at 
Grand Saline, in Van Zandt County, an extensive prairie, where it was 
procured by digging shallow wells and evaporating the water; and the 
salines in the vicinty of Double Mountain, in Wise County. One of our 
first moves was to take the necessary steps for the utilization of these 



670 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



valuable deposits, and in a short time we could have supplied the entire 
Trans-Mississippi Department had there been transportation facilities. 

The board particularly felicitated itself upon its connection with the 
purchase and sale of the Bayou City, and the part that vessel took in the 
battle of Galveston, saying in that connection in the report to the Legis- 
lature heretofore referred to: "At the first establishment of the block- 
ade of Texas by the Federal government the frigate Santee was the 
vessel employed. Being a sail vessel and of large size, the blockade 
might have been easily raised had she not succeeded in procuring sev- 
eral small vessels as tenders. It was believed, by parties esteemed 
competent to judge, that if the steamer Bayou City was properly fitted 
up she would be able to cope with the tenders of the Santee and thus 
render the blockade ineffectual, as she could destroy the small vessels 
and probably sink the Santee. The board selected Capt. Henry S. 
Lubbock, an experienced steamboatman and engineer, to superintend 
the necessary alterations required. About the time of her completion 
the Santee disappeared and was replaced by several small light-draught 
steamers with powerful armaments. The principal objects for which 
the board pvirchased and altered the steamer being defeated by the in- 
crease and alteration of the blockading force, and the board, believing 
that the boat could be made very effective in the hands of the Con- 
federate government as a guard-boat, offered her to the general com- 
manding, who made the purchase. The part allotted to the Bayou 
City in the memorable battle of Galveston on the 1st of January last 
will become part of the written history of the war, and the board may be 
allowed to congratulate themselves on the services she rendered. The 
amount outstanding on the books of the board to the debit of the 
Bayou City, which includes all charges, is $44,773.24. The board hold 
a certified account against the Confederate States for $50,000, the 
amount of her appraised value, which we hope will be liquidated in 
the course of a few weeks." 

P. DeCordova, still a prominent citizen of Austin, was our secretary, 
and performed his duties faithfully and efficiently at all times. We 
were so impressed with his accuracy, energy, and business capacity that, 
when the Legislature appointed a different board at the expiration of 
my gvibernatorial term, we recommended him to be chosen one of its 
members, and he was so chosen, and thereafter rendered good service to 
Texas and the Confederacy. 

In view of the fact that it devolved on me as chairman, and on C. R. 
Johns and C. H. Randolph as my associates, to perform the herculean 
task of putting Texas (at the beginning of the struggle totally unpre- 
pared) in condition for defense, and of immediately concentrating and 
developing her resources to an extent that would render her people self- 
sustaining, and that, despite every obstacle, we succeeded, it is but just 
to say that the board deserved the encomiiuns that were bestowed upon it 
by an appreciative people, who on every and all occasions showed them- 
selves ready to bestow the meed of praise upon those who labored hon- 
estly, intelligently, and effectively in their interest. 



APPENDIX. 671 



MA?^"UFACTURE OF GOODS AT THP] STATE PENITEN- 
TIARY IN 1861-2-3. 

When 1 entered upon my executive duties I found Thomas Caruthers, 
the very efficient appointee of Governor Houston, superintendent and M. 
C. Eodgers financial agent of the penitentiary. Rodgers had been ap- 
pointed by Governor Houston to succeed General Besser, who had served 
a very long time and with great ability. Houston, it seems, listened 
patiently to the representations of a strong delegation from Walker and 
other counties who urged him to retain Besser, inquired frequently if 
he had made a good record, and at last brought the interview to a close 
by saying to the committee: "Gentlemen, General Besser will be par- 
doned out in the morning." And so he was, and Rodgers appointed. 

I promptly pardoned out Rodgers and reinstated Besser, who was 
much the more competent man. Governor Houston himself frankly ad- 
mitted to me that he had made a mistake when he removed such an 
efficient man, "though he had been there long enough." 

The truth is, frequent elections but no change of executive officers 
without cause is the best policy for those citizens who desire not offices, 
but good government. 

Caruthers I retained, believing him to be the right man for the place, 
a belief that was abundantly justified by results. 

Upon the recommendation of the superintendent and my advice the 
Military Board procured from Europe some much needed machinery, 
which was supplemented by that our home artisans were able to manu- 
facture; and several important industries were put in successful opera- 
tion at the penitentiary. Among other articles, good cotton sacking, 
good strong sheeting, first-class woolen goods, shoes, and wool hats were 
turned out in sufficient quantities to meet in large measure the pressing 
needs of the people and Texas soldiers in the field. 

The penitentiary management was instructed to first supply goods 
to the county courts for distribution among the families of soldiers 
unable to make purchases, the courts to pay actual cost price for same, 
then to sell a limited amount to other citizens, and to dispose of the 
remainder to the Confederate government. Under this system the insti- 
tution was made self-sustaining and so continued until the end of my 
administration. In a message to the Tenth Legislature I said: "The 
financial condition of the penitentiary, as exhibited in the biennial re- 
port of the agent, is most satisfactory. . . . That report discloses 
the following: 

"Cotton goods manufactured from December 1, 1801. to August 31, 
1863, including 24,702.2 yards from late agent, 2,337.()G0.2 yards; 
woolens, including 1,841.3 yards from late agent, 293,298. 1 yards. The 
total amount of sales in the same period was 2,308,716.3 yards cottons, 
and 287,214.1 yards woolens, leaving a balance unsold of 28,962 yards 
cottons, and 6,789.1 yards woolens. Of these sales the army received 



«72 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



1,276,920.3 cottons and 257,751.3 yards woolens, making largely over 
one-half the cottons and all the woolens, less 33,704.3 yards. The lunatic 
asyhim received 2253 yards cottons and 602 yards woolens. The bal- 
ance, 1,029,543 yards cottons and 28,850.2 yards woolens were absorbed 
by the penitentiary factory, clothing of convicts and employes, gen^^jy^j 
supplies for the institution, and families of soldiers and citizens. ^^-^ 
gross earnings for the same period have been $1,174,439.07. The amount 
-expended has been $468,653.40. Special deposit with State Treasure 
$653,000; cash balance on hand September 1, 1863, $52,785.67. On the 
15th of October, 1863, there was deposited with the State Treasurer 
the further sum of $147,000, making the whole sum paid into the 
treasury, $800,000. 

"The institution has proven of incalculable benefit to the army. In 
the present condition of the country its importance rises to supreme 
magnitude." 

About 300 convicts were worked, all of them within the walls, all 
white, and a majority of them measurably intelligent. They were di- 
rected by experts who acted as foremen, and who were employed on my 
recommendation. 

I was in the city of Houston on a certain occasion in the year 1862. 
The hotel was crowded, and, to make me comfortable, the landlord of 
the Fannin House put me in the room of my friend General Houston. 
The general was quite fond of talking after retiring, if he had company. 
After conversing for some time, he said: "Governor Frank, you know 
I voted for you. I traveled to Cedar Bayou box to do so, and I wish 
to ask a favor of you." 

"Proceed, General." I replied. 

He then went on to say that there was a man serving a term in the 
penitentiary that should be pardoned, giving the name and the reasons 
why he should be released. 

"General," said I, "he is a very important man to us. He is a trusty, 
and is foreman of our shoe-shop, and we can not spare him." 

"Why, Governor Franl<:, would you keep a poor fellow in the pen 
because you need his services?" 

To this I made answer : "General, he is there. We are needing shoes 
very much for our soldiers, and I would dislike very much to lose so 
valuable a man." 

He made some reply that caused me to remark : "General, you were 
Governor some time. If he was such a deserving object of favor, why 
was it you failed to exercise the pardoning power?" 

"Governor Frank, I thank you for the word, and I will tell you the 
reason of the failure. I had the papers all prepared and they were upon 
my desk for action upon them. I got up quite early the next morning, 
but upon arriving at my office I found little Eddy Clark in my chair 
claiming to be Governor. I presume he must have gotten up before day- 
light so as to precede me in possession. Governor Frank, that is the 
reason I failed to sign the papers; all of which facts I can prove by 
-my Secretary of State, Major Cave." 



APPENDIX. 67? 



I promised him I would look into the case, and a few months after 
pardoned the man at his request. 

In my efforts to make the convicts useful to the struggling country, 

I did not overlook what was due to them. In one of my letters to the 

-■rintendent I instructed him to permit a Catholic priest, who asked 

■mission to do so, to administer to his church members early Sunday 
tnorning before the hour for services by the chaplain of the institution. 
^ declined to take the day of rest from them at the eager demand of 
public necessity. The convicts were kept busily employed, but were not 
overworked; were no expense to the taxpayers; became skilled in useful 
trades; and, realizing that they were rendering service to the country, 
resumed that measure of self-respect needed to fit them for ultimate 
restoration to liberty. This experience convinced me fully of the value 
of this system, and of the utter folly and perniciousness of any system 
embodying the maintenance of convicts in idleness. 



INTEEESTING HISTOEICAL DOCUMENT. 

The following treaty, negotiated upon the part of the United States 
by John C. Calhoun, and upon the part of Texas by Isaac Van Zandt 
and J. Pinckney Henderson, was rejected by the United States Senate 
in April, 1844, and has never (so far as my knowledge extends) been 
published in any Texas history or book of memoirs. By perusing it the 
reader will see how much better terms Texas obtained under the annexa- 
tion resolutions than were proposed in the treaty: 

"A treaty of annexation, concluded between the United States of 

America and the Republic of Texas, at Washington, the 12th day of 

April, 1844. 

"The people of Texas having, at the time of adopting their Constitu- 
tion, expressed, by an almost unanimous vote, their desire to be in- 
corporated into the Union of the United States, and being still desirous- 
of the same with equal unanimity, in order to provide more effectually 
for their security and prosperity; and the United States, actuated 
solely by the desire to add to their own security and prosperity, and to 
meet the wishes of the government and people of Texas, having deter- 
mined to accomplish, by treaty, objects so important to their mutual 
and permanent welfare. 

"For that purpose, the President of the United States has given full 
powers to John C. Calhoun, Secretary of State of the said United 
States, and the President of the Republic of Texas has appointed, with 
like powers, Isaac Van Zandt and J. Pinckney Henderson, citizens of the 
said Republic, and the said plenipotentiaries, after exchanging their full 
powers, have agreed on and concluded the following articles: 

"Article 1. The Republic of Texas, acting in conformity with the 
wishes of the people and every department of its Government, cedes to 
the United States all its territories, to be held by them in full property 
43 



674 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



and sovereignty, and to be annexed to the said United States as one of 
their Territories, subject to the same constitutional provisions with their 
other Territories. This cession includes all public lots and squares, va- 
cant lands, mines, minerals, salt lakes and springs, public edifices, for- 
tifications, barracks, ports and harbors, navy and navy yards, docks, 
magazines, arms, armaments, and accoutrements, archives and public 
documents, public funds, debts, taxes and dues unpaid at the time of the 
exchange of the ratification of this treaty. 

"Article II. The citizens of Texas shall be incorporated into the 
Union of the United States, maintained and protected in the free en- 
joyment of their liberty and property, and admitted, as soon as may 
be consistent w^ith the principles of the Federal Constitution, to the 
enjoyment of all the rights, privileges, and immunities, of citizens of 
the United States. 

"Article III. All titles and claims to real estate, which are valid un- 
der the laws of Texas, shall be held to be so by the United States: and 
measures shall be adopted for the speedy adjudication of all unsettled 
claims to land, and patents shall be granted to those found to be valid. 

''Article IV. The public lands hereby ceded shall be subject to the 
laws regulating the public lands in the other Territories of the United 
States, as far as they may be applicable; subject, however, to such al- 
terations and changes as Congress may from time to time think proper 
to make. It is understood between the parties, that, if in consequence 
of the mode in which lands have been surveyed in Texas, or from ])re- 
vious grants or locations, the sixteenth section cannot be applied to 
the purpose of education. Congress shall make equal provision by grant 
of land elsewhere. And it is also further understood, that, hereafter, 
the books, papers, and documents of the General Land Office of Texas 
shall be deposited and kept at such place in Texas as the Congress of 
tlie United States shall direct. 

"Article V. The United States assume and agree to pay the jiublic 
debts and liabilities of Texas, however created, for which the faith or 
credit of her government may be bound at the time of the exchange of 
the ratifications of this treaty; which debts and liabilities are esti- 
mated not to exceed, in the whole, ten millions of dollars, to be ascer- 
tained and paid in the manner hereinafter stated. 

"The payment of the sum of three hundred and fiftj' thousand dollars 
shall be made at the Treasury of the United States, within ninety days 
after the exchange of the ratifications of this treaty, as follows: Two 
hundred and fifty thousand dollars to Frederick Dawson, of Baltimore, 
or his executors, on the delivery of that amount of ten per cent bonds 
of Texas: one hundred thousand dollars, if so much be required, in the 
redemption of the exchequer bills which may be in circulation at the 
time of the exchange of the ratifications of this treaty. For the pay- 
ment of the remainder of the debts and liabilities of Texas, which, to- 
gether with the amount already specified, shall not exceed ten millions 
of dollars, the public lands herein ceded, and the nett revenue from the 
same, are hereby pledged. 



APPENDIX. G75 



"Article VI. In order to ascertain tlio full amount of the debts and 
liabilities herein assumed, and the legality and validity thereof, four 
commissioners shall be appointed by the President of the United States, 
by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, who shall meet at 
Washington, Texas, within the period of six months after the exchange 
of the ratifications of this treaty, and may continue in session not ex- 
ceeding twelve months, unless the Congress of the United States should 
prolong the time. They shall take an oath for the faithful discharge of 
their duties, and that they are not directly or indirectly interested in 
said claims at the time, and will not be during their continuance in 
office; and the said oath shall be recorded with their proceedings. In 
case of the death, sickness, or resignation of any of the commissioners, 
his or their place or places may be supplied by the appointment as 
aforesaid, or by the President of the United States during the recess 
of the Senate. They, or a majority of them, shall be authorized, under 
such regulations as the Congress of the United States may prescribe, 
to hear, examine, and decide on all questions touching the legality and 
validity of said claims, and shall, when a claim is allowed, issue a cer- 
tificate to the claimant, stating the amount, distinguishing principal 
from interest. The certificates so issued shall be numbered, and entry 
made of the niuiiber, the name of the person to whom issued, and the 
amount, in a book to bo kept for that purpose. They shall transmit the 
records of their proceedings and the book in which the certificates are 
entered, with the vouchers and documents produced before them, rela- 
tive to the claims allowed or rejected, to the Treasury Department of 
the United States, to be deposited therein; and the Secretary of the 
Treasury shall, as soon as practicable after the receipt of the same, as- 
certain the aggregate amount of the debts and liabilities allowed; and 
if the same, when added to the amount to be paid to Frederick Dawson, 
and the sum which may be jiaid in the redemption of the exchequer 
bills, shall not exceed the estimated sum of ten millions of dollars, he 
shall, on the presentation of a certificate of the commissioners, issue, 
at the option of the holder, a new certificate for the amount, distin- 
guishing principal from interest, and payable to him or order, out of the 
net proceeds of the public lands hereby ceded, or stock of the United 
States, for the amount allowed, including principal and interest, and 
bearing an interest of three per cent, per annum from the date thereof; 
which stock, in addition to being made payable out of the nett pro- 
ceeds of the public lands hereby ceded, shall also be receivable in pay- 
ment for the same. In case the amount of the debts and liabilities al- 
lowed, with the sums aforesaid to be paid to Frederick Dawson, and 
which may be paid in the redemption of the exchequer bills, shall ex- 
ceed the said sum of ten millions of dollars, the said Secretary, before 
issuing a new certificate, or stock, as the case may be, shall make in 
€ach case such proportionable and ratable reduction on its amount as to 
reduce the aggregate to the said simi of ten millions of dollars; and he 
shall have power to make all needful rules and regulations necessary to 
■carry into efl'ect the powers hereby vested in him. 



676 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



"Article VII. Until further provision shall be made, the laws of 
Texas, as now existing, shall remain in force, and all executive and 
judicial officers of Texas, except the President, Vice President, and heads 
of departments, shall retain their offices, with all power and authority 
appertaining thereto; and the courts of justice shall remain in all 
respects as now established and organized. 

"Article VIII. Immediately after the exchange of the ratifications 
of this treaty, the President of the United States, by and with the ad- 
vice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint a commissioner, who shall 
proceed to Texas and receive the transfer of the territory thereof, and 
all the archives and public property, and other things nerein conveyed, 
in the name of the United States. He snaii exercise all executive author- 
ity in said Territory necessary to the proper execution of the laws, un- 
til otherwise provided. 

"Article IX. The present treaty shall be ratified by the contracting 
parties, and the ratifications exchanged at the city of Washington, in 
six months from the date hereof, or sooner if possible. 

"In witness whereof, we, the undersigned, plenipotentiaries of the 
United States of America and of the Republic of Texas, have signed, 
by virtue of our powers, the present treaty of annexation, and have 
hereunto affixed our seals, respectively. 

"Done at Washington, the twelfth day of April, eighteen hundred and 
forty-four. 

"J. C. CALHOUN, [SEAL.] 

"ISAAC VAN ZANDT. [seal.] 

"J. PIXCKNEY HENDERSON, [seal.]" 



INDEX/ 



African slave trade, 245, 246, 254. 

Agricultural and Mechanical College, 621. 

Alamo, fall of, 31. 

Aliens, liability of to military service, 387. 

Annexation, 153, 155, 157, 160, 162, 165, 171, 176, 673 (Appendix). 

Arizona, Baylor's conquest of, 371. 

Arming the slaves, 561. 

Arms, want of, 362, 492, 530. 

Army enter same as lieutenant-colonel, 525; assigned to duty on Gen- 
eral Magruder's staff, 529; first time under fire, 533; placed m charge 
of transportation of troops, 535; assigned to Gen. Tom Green's stall 
535- depart for Louisiana, 535; overland journey, 536; on General 
Wharton's staff, 537; furloughed at end of Louisiana campaign, 547; 
appointed aide de camp on President Davis' staff, 548; cross the Mis- 
sissippi and proceed to Richmond. 549; letters to my wife, 552; prices 
of articles in Confederate money, 552; my associates on the staff of 
the President, 552; attend President on visit to General Hood's army, 
553; views as to moving troops across the Mississippi, 554; disap- 
pearance of my servant Eli, 554; persons I met, 556. 
Asiatic poultry, my experience in raising, 236. 
Atlanta, Ga., 635. 
Audubon, John J., 52. 
Austin, Stephen ¥., 38. 



Baltimore (Douglas) convention, 282. 

Baltimore ( Breckenridge and Lane) convention, 287. 

Banks, Gen. N. P., 422, 423, 426, 448, 508, 528, 539, 540, 541. 

Baudin, French admiral, 96. 

Baylor, Gen, John R., 371, 503. 

Bayou City, 421, 424, 429, 432. 

Bee, Gen. Barnard E., 412, 421, 540. 

Bell, Commodore H. H., 437, 454, 457, 458. 

Bell, Josiah, 458. 

Benjamin, Judah P., 346, 360, 362, 367, 375, 561, 566, 582, 601. 

find special matter —Ed. 



678 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Besser, General, 671. 

Bexar, capture of, 30. 

Board of Pardons, appointed a member of, 639. 

Borden, Gail, 93. 

Boyce, R. P., 60. 

Briscoe, Andrew, 112, 125. 

Briscoe, Mrs. Mary J., 48. 

Bryan, Guy M., 212, 263, 275, 277, 286. 289, 299, 389, 390, 392, 393, 395, 

Bryan, William Jennings, 641. 

Burnet and Sherman monument, unveiling of, 039. 

Business resumed, debts paid, beef packery, 596. 



Cambria, United States steamer, 447. 

Camels, my experience with, 239. 

Campaign of January, 1863, summary of results of, 461. 

Canvass for Governor, 321. 

Capitol Building, stand taken that resulted in the use of Texas mate- 
rial, 628. 

Capture of United States vessels Morning Light and Velocity off Sabine 
Pass, 460. 

Cave, E. W., 217. 310, 319, 420. 

Charleston convention of I860, 267. 

Cherokees, treaty with, 105. 

Chilton, Horace, 640. 

Clark, Gov. Edward, 248, 310, 322, 324, 330, 396. 

Clerk House of Representatives, 65; district court, 101, 120. 

Closing address, 471. 

Coast fighting, 317, 319, 383. 

Coast guards, 347. 

Columbia, notable men met there, 36. 

Comptroller, 69, 143. 

Conference of Governors at Marshall, 389; second conference, 493; re- 
port on resources of Trans-Mississippi Department, 496 ; report on 
currency and cotton, 498; Governor Reynold's' resolution providing 
for a committee of public safety, 500; resolution endorsing Gen. E. 
Kirby Smith, 501; address issued to the people, 501. 

Congress, first of Republic, 36. 

Conscript law, 469. 

Constitutional Union Convention of 1860, 295. 

Consuls, protest of, 319. 

Cooper, Prof. Oscar H., 621. 

Corpus Christi, bombardment of, 410. 

Creole, 27. 

Crisis of 1860, opinions of leading men in regard to, 302. 

Culberson, Hon. C. A., 639, 640, 641. 

Currency meeting, 67. 



INDEX. (57!) 



Danoy, John W., 41, 209. 

Darden, Mrs. Fann\% 60. 

Davis, Jefferson, at Danville, 503; address to the people, Greens- 
boro, Charlotte, news of Lincoln's assassination, 504 : rejection of 
Johnston-Sherman cartel, last cabinet nieetinjr, 505: last council of 
war, 500; President's escort, 567; Savannah River. Washington, Ga., 
Judge Reagan, 508; Sandersville. Col. Preston Johnston, 509; Col. 
Burton Harrison, Mrs. Davis' party, 570; John Taylor Wood, cap- 
ture of President and party, 571; carried to Macon, 573; letter to my 
wife, 574; Augusta, Savannah, 575; dialogue between Vice-President 
Alex. H. Stephens and Gen. Joe Wheeler, Mr. Davis at Fortress Mon- 
roe, 570 ; Judge Reagan at Fort Warren, 577 ; General Wheeler, Col- 
onel Johnston, and nnself at Fort Delaware, 577 ; visit to Austin, 
607 ; Dallas, welcomed by ^Mayor Good, Mr. Davis" speech, remarks 
by Colonel Sexton, ex-Governor Throckmorton, Geneial Gano and 
others, Mr. Davis' tribute to Lamar and views as to the condition of 
the country and its future, etc., 607 et seq. ; memorial services in 
honor of, 629; my speech on Mr. Davis on the occasion of presenting 
a portrait of him to the senate — historical and descriptive, 050 f Ap- 
pendix ) . 

Davis, Miss Winnie. 039. 

Davis, E. J., 314, 528. 587. 005. 

De Cordova, P., 070 (Appendix). 

Democratic party, first movement for organization of in Texas. 184; 
organization of and leading Democrats who participated therein. 
199; Waco convention of 1857, 209; Austin convention of 1858 and 
the "love feast" that followed, 231; Houston convention of 18.59, 243; 
Galveston convention of 1800, 200: Dallas convention of 1801, 323; 
Galveston convention of 1876, 611; Austin convention of 1878, 614; 
Dallas convention of 1880, 021; Galveston convention of 1882, 622; 
convention of 1884, 623; Galveston convention of 1880. 624: Dallas 
convention of 1888, 027: San Antonio convention of 1890. 027; Hous- 
ton convention of 1892, 038: Galveston convention of 1898, 041. 

Distilleries, demoralizing effect of, 408. 

Domestic manufactures. 478. 



Dowling, Dick, 459. 503, .507. 



E 



Education, 104, 195. 

Elkhorn Reunion, 025. 

Europe, first trip to, Liverpool, Wales, London, 597; Paris, Col. A. 
Dudley Mann, 598; Germany, return home, 599; Mr. Davis and his 
picture, 003; second trip, Sunday with Mr. Davis in Paris, Mac- 
IMahon, French assemb!}', 001: Prince Polignac, 002; London, Glas- 
gow, the Clyde. Mr. Davis' familiarity with Scottish literature, 602; 
return home, 003. 



680 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Expansion, 183, 243, G4S{. 

Expedition: Bonnell, 84; Santa Fe. 104; Somervell, 146; Mier, 147. 

Experience, as a granger, 93; as a merchant, 97. 

Extortioners and monopolists, 469. 



Factories, 478. 

Family matters, 630. 

Fannin massacre, 32. 

Federal prisoners, 476, 659 (Appendix). 

Finance of the Republic, 105; retrenchment, exchequer bills, 144; scal- 
ing the public debt, 194. 

Fisher, Mrs. Rebecca J., 83, 645 (Appendix). 

Fort Delaware, my experience as a political prisoner, 578; my discharge, 
588 ; visit to Washington and meeting with Judge Reagan, Judge Ter- 
rell, and others, 589; call on Secretary Stanton, 590; interview with 
President Johnson, 591; return and welcome home, 591. 

Fortress Monroe conference, 558. 

French intervention in behalf of Confederacy, 510, 511, 512, 514, 533. 

Frontier Protection, 229, 255, 259, 483. 

Frontier regiment and defense, 357, 409, 475, 483. 



Galveston, 84, 97, 319, 345, 346, 347, 349, 385, 386, 387, 388, 416, 422; 

battle of, 434, 440; Gen. N. P. Banks' report, 448, 454, 458, 486; 

mayoralty race of 1875, 606. 
<Jano, Gen. JR. M., 324, 341, 358, 610. 
Gilleland, Wm. N., 645 (Appendix). 
Gould, R. S., 542. 
Governor, inaugurated as, 329; epitome of my work as, 525; review 

of my administration by the Henderson Times, 472. 
Gray, P. W., 440. 

Green, Gen. Tom, 398, 399, 437, 445, 532, 536. 
Green, T. J., 91, 147, 151. 



Hamburg, 18. 

Hamilton, A. J., 245, 314, 449, 529, 587, 605. 

Hampton Roads conference, 558. 

Hancock, John, 587, 622. 

Harby, Captain. 443. 

Hardeman, W. P., 542. 

Hatteras, United States steamer, sinking of by the Alabama, 456. 

Hebert, P. O., 344, 345, 346, 348, 375, 396, 416. 

Hemphill, John, 146, 180, 224, 225, 307, 361, 378. 



INDEX. 681 



Henderson, J. P., 179, 187. 189, 224. 

Hobby, A. M., 645 (Appendix). 

Hogg, J. S., 627, 638. 

Holmes, Gen.. 426. 

Houston, city of, 45, 47, 48, 50. 

Houston, Sam, 73, 91, 141, 151, 179, 205, 213, 259, 297, 381, 491, 672 

(Appendix). 
Howe, Captain, 532. 
Hubbard, R. B., 605, 612, 613, 641. 
Hunter, R. M. T., 558, 561. 



Immigrant who had seen enough of Texas, 55. 
Ireland, John, 622, 623. 



Johnston, Gen. A. S., 37, 39, 71, 105, 182, 325, 375, 607. 
Jones, Anson, 67, 157, 162, 163, 177, 229. 



Know-Nothing party, 197, 204. 

L 

La Fayette, 5. 

Lamar, M. B.. 43, 79, 92, 97, 105, 143, 144, 182. 607. 

Lavaca, bombardment of, 413. 

Lea, A. M., 437, 461. 

Lee, Gen. Robert E., 561. 

Legislature: Ninth, 329, 341; extra session of, 463, 480; passage of 
resolution to the effect that Texas would pay her part of the Con- 
federate debt in the event of withdrawal from the Confederacy, 481; 
resolution of thanks to Magruder for the victory at Galveston, 482; 
Tenth, my message to, 515. 

Lincoln, Abraham, 300, 465. 

Long, Mrs. Jane, 43, 78. 

Looscan, Mrs. Adele B., 241. 

Loughery, R. W., 604. 

Lubbock, Henry S., 421, 436, 441, 507, 586. 

Lubbock, John B.. 328. 

Lubbock, Thomas S.. 13, 26, 28, 29, 146, 314, 316, 324, 327, 377, 645 
( Appendix ) . 



682 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



M 

Magruder, Gen. J. R.. 424, 425, 427, 434, 450, 451, 459, 485, 487, 535, 

593. 
Majors, General, 541. 
Manassas (first battle), Texans at, 315. 
Marriage, 23, 630. 
Mason and Slidell, 374. 
Masonry, 65. 

Matagorda Bay, 530, 533. 
Maximilian, 593. 
Mexican raid, 72, 145. 
Mexican war, 181. 
Milam Guards, 84, 90. 
Milner, R. T., 667 (Appendix). 
Military Board, 362, 368, 067 (Appendix). 
Militia, 359, 478. 

Mississippi Kiver, 488, 489, 490, 544. 
Moody, W. L., 584, 613. 
Monterey, battle of, Texans in, 182. 

Murrah, Pendleton, 322, 324, 495, 515, 520, 534, 587, 593. 
My farewell address and entrance into the army, 520. 

Mc 



McCuUoch, Ben., 536, 625. 
McCulloeh, Henry E., 357, 503, 627. 
McLeod, Hugh, 233, 380. 



N 



Negro soldiers. Confederate policy toward, 466. 
New Orleans, life in, 20. 
Newspapers in Texas in 1849, 193. 
Nullification, 14. 



Ochiltree, Thos. P., 209, 212, 256, 260, 288, 289, 397, 405, 406, 551. 
Omaha Exposition, 640. 



Parsons' brigade reunion, 625. 

Pease, E. M., 68, 195, 225, 314. 

Pendleton, Geo. C, 667 (Appendix). 

Penitentiary Board, appointed member of, 638. 

Penitentiary, manufacture of goods at in 1861-2-3, 671 (Appendix] 

Personal difficulty, 75. 



INDEX. 683 



Pioneers, sketches of, 107. 

Poets' Tribune, 645 (Appendix). 

Politics in 1840-1, 98. 

Political campaign, of 185G (national), 205; of 1857 (State), 209: of 

1859 (State), 243; of 1800 (national), 298. 
Presidential t-andidates, of 1838, 80; of 1841, 102; of 1844, 152. 
Prisoners, Mier, decimation of, 148 ; Perote, 153. 
Proclamation relative to storage of cotton, 347. 
Prohibition campaign of 1887, 624. 



Railroad Co7nmission, 627. 

Reagan, John H., 212. 218. 220. 245, 299, 311, 328, 362, .551, 554, 565, 

568, 577, 589. 
Reconstruction, 604, 605, 606. 
Rector, Governor of Arkansas, address of relative to withdrawal from 

the Confederacy, 388, 389, 393. 
Red River campaign, 534, 537, 539, 540. 541, 542, 543; results of, 544. 
Reiley, James, 407, 428. 
Religious denominations, 83. 
Renshaw, Commodore, 419, 437, 446. 
Retaliation, 371, 406, 481. 
Reverses, 375. 

Richmond convention of June 11, 1860, 281. 
Richmond, Va., 326, 557, 563. 
Roberts, 0. M.,. 305, 382, 615, 020. 
Robertson, J. C, 308. 
Robertson, Sawnie, 623. 
Robinson, J. W., 145, 153. 
Ross, L. S., 624. 
Royal Yacht, 345, 385. 
Runnels, Hardin R., 210, 223, 224, 225. 
Rusk, T. J.. 67, 81, 152, 171, 179. 

S 

Sabine Pass. 459: battle of, 505; Federal report of battle, 505. 500, 508. 

Sale of Santa Fe territory, 192. 

Santa Anna, 31, 32. 

San Jacinto, 33, 57, 00. 

Sayers, J. D.. 400, 611, 014, 620, 021, 041, 642. 

Scurry, VV. R., 182, 437, 438. 

Secession, 305, 308, 309, 312. 

Semmes, Raphael, 455, 562. 

Siblev, General, 396. 



684 LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS. 



Sibley's expedition, 396 ; Valverde, 398 ; occupation of Santa Fe, Glor- 

ieta, 401; Peralto, 403; Bethel Coopwood, guide, crossing the Jornada, 

404, 405, 406. 
Smith, Ashbel, 163, 164, 200. 
Smith, E. Kirby, 492, 493. 501, 534. 
Smith, Leon, 317, 432, 436, 439, 440, 454, 505, 532. 
South Carolina, visit to after the close of my term as State treasurer, 

631. 
Star of the West, 318. 
State tax and Confederate money, 478. 
State Treasurer, nominated for, 615; induction into office as, 617; policy 

as, 618; notice from Texas Review, 619; end of term of service as, 628. 
Stephens, Alexander H., 558, 561, 575, 576, 577. 
Stockraising, 122, 127, 139. 



Supreme Court, 180. 



Taylor, Gen. Dick, 537, 538, 541, 543, 544, 553. 

Taylor, M. D. K., 256, 611, 614. 

Terrell, A. W., 345, 593. 

Terry, Capt. i'rank, 315, 316, 324, 326. 

Terry Rangers, 325. 

Texas, first visit to, 29; removal to, 42; troops, 355; quota of soldiers 
in the Confederate army, 471; support of families of soldiers, 477; ad- 
ditional call for soldiers, 487. 

Texas revolution, 28. 

Turner, E. P., 425, 431. 

Twin Sisters (cannon used at San Jacinto). 372. 



"Uncle Ben." 459, 505. 
'Unionists, 314. 
United States bonds, 360. 
University of Texas. 228. 622. 



Vance, Governor of South Carolina, as to duty of ex-Confederate sol- 
diers at the close of the war. 593. 
Van Zandt County seat trouble, 612. 
Veto message, 351. 
Visit to Charleston, S. C, 25. 



INDEX, 685 



W 



Walker, R. J., 52, 227. 
Walton, W. M., 336, 361. 
War legislation, 369. 
Washburn, C. C. 529. 
Washington-on-the-Brazos, 148. 
Watkins, O. M.. 458. 
Waul, T. N., 209, 245, 261, 361, 374. 
West, C. S., 336, 390, 623. 

Wharton, Gen. John A., 40, 537, 539, 543, 546. 
Wharton, W. H., 40. 
Wheeler, Gen. Joe, 575, 576, 577. 
Whig convention at Tyler, 194. 
Wigfall, L. T., 209. 227, 230, 256, 257. 361. 362. 
Winkler, Mrs., 557. 

Winter of 1863-4, my narrow escape from being frozen to death, four- 
teen soldiers perish, 532. 
Wood, Geo. T., 190. 
Wortham, W. B., 620, 628. 



Zavala, Lorenzo de, 44. 



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